THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 
AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


Mary  Farlow 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 
AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


ENDOWED  BY  THE 
DIALECTIC  AND  PHILANTHROPIC 
SOCIETIES 


E302 
.  J47 
v.19 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00007731430 


Digitized  by 

the  Internet  Archive 

in  2014 

https://archive.org/details/writingsofthomas19jeff_0 


Jefferson  at  Sixty 

Photogravure  from  the  Original  Gypsum  Bas-relief  by  George  Miller. 

This  bas-relief  was  originally  owned  by  Zeligman  Phillips,  one  of 
the  founders,  in  1805,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Academy  of  Fine  Arts, 
and  is  inscribed  with  date  and  artist's  name  in  his  handwriting.  It 
was  presented  to  the  American  Philosophical  Society  by  one  of  his 
descendants,  the  late  Hon.  Henry  M.  Phillips,  of  Philadelphia,  as  a 
fitting  memento  of  the  Society's  third  President,  Thomas  Jefferson. 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 

Thomas  Jefferson 


2&*mxoriad  HFirtiiom 

CONTAINING  HIS 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY,    NOTES  ON  VIRGINIA,  PARLIA- 
MENTARY  MANUAL,   OFFICIAL  PAPERS, 
MESSAGES  AND  ADDRESSES,  AND  OTHER 
WRITINGS,  OFFICIAL  AND  PRIVATE, 
NOW  COLLECTED  AND 
PUBLISHED  IN  THEIR  ENTIRETY  FOR  THE  FIRST  TIME 

INCLUDING 

ALL  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  MANUSCRIPTS,  DEPOSITED  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT 
OF  STATE  AND  PUBLISHED  IN  1853  BY  ORDER  OF  THE 
JOINT  COMMITTEE  OF  CONGRESS 

WITH  NUMEROUS  ILLUSTRATIONS 

AND 

A   COMPREHENSIVE  ANALYTICAL  INDEX 
Andrew  A.  LIPSCOMB,  Chairman  Board  of  Governors 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Albert  Ellery  Bergh 

MANAGING  EDITOR 


VOL.  XIX. 


ISSUED  UNDER  THE  AUSPICES  OF 

The  Thomas  Jefferson  Memorial  Association 

OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 

WASHINGTON,   D.  C. 
1904 


Copyright,  1904, 

BY 

The  Thomas  Jefferson  Memorial 
Association 


flUemortal  BMtton 

Limited  to  1 ,000  sets,  of  which 
this  is  No.  J$  #  J 


Virginia  Statues  of  Jefferson 


Reproduction  from  the  Original  Sculptures  by  Edward  V.  Valentine 
and  Alexander  Gait 

The  figure  on  the  kit  is  the  statue  which  stands  in  the  Library 
rotunda  of  the  University  of  Virginia.  It  is^the  one  for  which  the 
General  Assembly  of  Virginia,  appropriated  ten  thousand  dollars  in 
1854.  Alexander  Gait,  of  X  or  fork,  Va.,  was  chosen  to  do  the  work, 
and  the  statue  was  unveiled  in  1868.  In  modelling  this  likeness  the 
sculptor  followed  a  portrait  recommended  by  Jefferson's  grandson, 
Colonel  Thomas  J  Randolph. 

The  statue  on  the  right  is  a  more  recent  work.  It  was  done  by 
Edward  V.  Valentine,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  and  holds  a  conspicuous 
place  in  that  city.  It  represents  Jefferson  more  as  a  student  and 
scholar  than  as  a  statesman.  The  sculptor  in  his  work  made  use  of 
the  well-known  portraits  of  Jefferson  as  well  as  the  clothing  worn  by 
the  great  Virginian  and  the  description  given  of  him  by  one  who  saw 
Jefferson  alive.  Both  of  these  statues  may  be  fairly  regarded  as  the 
finest  effigies  of  Jefferson  in  his  native  state. 


JEFFERSON  AS  A  MAN  OF  SCIENCE. 


It  is  an  interesting  tribute  to  the  value  of  the 
scientific  mind  that  two  of  the  men  among  the  most 
important  in  the  establishment  of  the  United  States 
of  America  were  at  the  same  time  its  earliest  and  most 
distinguished  students  of  the  natural  and  physical 
sciences,  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Thomas  Jefferson, 
and  while  the  time  of  both  of  these  men  was 
largely  given  to  public  affairs,  their  chief  intellectual 
interest  lay  in  the  discovery  and  the  setting  forth  of 
new  truths.  Jefferson  wrote  to  a  correspondent, 
"Nature  intended  me  for  the  tranquil  pursuits  of 
science,  by  rendering  them  my  supreme  delight," 
but  he  was  likewise  impressed  with  the  fact  that 
there  was  a  relationship  between  science  and  repub- 
lican institutions.  To  Monsieur  dTvernois  he  uses 
the  phrase :  "  Freedom,  the  first-born  of  science, "  and 
to  General  Kosciusko  he  says:  "The  main  objects 
of  all  science  are  the  freedom  and  happiness  of  man," 
while  to  another  correspondent  he  declares  that 
"  Science  is  more  important  in  a  republican  than  in 
any  other  government." 

The  first  public  demonstration  of  Jefferson's  capa- 
bility as  a  man  of  science  was  the  preparation  and 


iv        Jefferson  as  a  Man  of  Science 


publication  in  1 7  8 1  of  his 1 '  Notes  on  Virginia . "  "  This , ' ' 
according  to  the  late  G.  Brown  Goode,  assistant  sec- 
retary of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  the  his- 
torian of  American  science,  "was  the  first  compre- 
hensive treatise  upon  the  topography,  natural  history 
and  natural  resources  of  one  of  the  United  States, 
and  was  the  precursor  of  the  great  library  of  scientific 
reports  which  have  since  been  issued  by  the  State  and 
Federal  governments.  Though  hastily  prepared  to 
meet  a  special  need,  if  measured  by  its  influence  it  is 
the  most  important  scientific  work  as  yet  published  in 
America."  In  this  work  he  successfully  overthrew 
many  of  the  arguments  of  Buff  on,  who  was  at  the 
time  considered  the  highest  living  authority  on  natu- 
ral history  subjects ;  and  later,  when  he  came  to  know 
Buff  on  in  Paris,  the  latter  admitted  some  of  the 
errors  that  he  had  made. 

In  a  valuable  paper  published  in  the  Magazine  of 
American  History  for  1885,  Frederick  C.  Luther 
points  out  that  Jefferson  "had  a  more  or  less  prac- 
tical knowledge  of  surgical  anatomy,  civil  engineer- 
ing, physics,  meteorology,  mechanics  and  astronomy, 
and  was  at  home  in  many  departments  of  pure  and 
applied  science,  but  it  was  in  natural  history  that  he 
was  most  interested,  and  as  a  naturalist  he  made  his 
only  original  contribution  to  scientific  knowledge." 
*  *  *  "  He  seems  to  have  acquired  nearly  all  the 
knowledge  the  world  then  possessed  of  geology  and 
zoology,  and  while  many  of  the  theories  advanced  in 
his  '  Notes  on  Virginia '  have  been  rejected  by  mod- 


Jefferson  as  a  Man  of  Science  v 

ern  science,  in  some  of  his  conclusions  Jefferson  was 
quite  in  advance  of  the  best  specialists  of  the  age,  and 
notably  so  in  the  department  of  palaeontology/' 

In  fact  palaeontology  in  the  United  States  had  its 
beginning  in  a  paper  filed  with  the  American  Philo- 
sophical Society  by  Jefferson  under  date  of  March 
10,  1797,  announcing  his  discovery  of  the  Megalonyx 
Jeffersoni;  this  paper  was  published  under  the  title, 
"  Memoir  on  the  Discovery  of  a  Quadruped  in  the 
Western  Parts  of  Virginia,"  in  the  Transactions  of 
the  American  Philosophical  Society.  The  original 
specimen  was  deposited  in  the  American  Philosoph- 
ical Society  and  subsequently  transferred  to  the 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  where 
it  may  still  be  seen.  The  announcement  of  this  dis- 
covery was  coincident  with  his  arrival  in  Philadelphia 
to  be  inaugurated  as  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States,  and  upon  that  occasion  he  brought  with  him 
a  collection  of  fossil  bones  of  the  specimen  in  question, 
which  he  had  obtained  in  Greenbrier  County,  Vir- 
ginia. 

But  his  interest  in  palaeontology  did  not  stop  here. 
In  February,  1801,  during  the  excitement  of  the  con- 
test with  Aaron  Burr,  he  was  corresponding  with 
Doctor  Wistar  with  regard  to  some  bones  of  the 
mammoth  which  he  had  just  procured  from  Shawan- 
gunk,  in  New  York. 

In  1808,  when  the  excitement  over  the  embargo 
was  highest  and  his  policy  was  under  the  severest 
denunciation,  he  was  carrying  on  palaeontological 


vi        Jefferson  as  a  Man  of  Science 

studies  in  the  White  House.  Under  his  direction 
upwards  of  300  specimens  of  fossil  bones  had  been 
brought  from  the  famous  Big  Bone  Lick,  and  spread 
in  one  of  the  large  unfinished  rooms  of  the  Presiden- 
tial mansion.  Doctor  Wistar  was  asked  to  come 
from  Philadelphia  and  select  such  as  were  needed  to 
complete  the  collection  of  the  Philosophical  Society. 
The  exploration  of  the  Lick  was  made  at  the  private 
expense  of  Jefferson,  through  the  agency  of  General 
William  Clarke,  and  this  may  fairly  be  recorded  as 
the  beginning  of  American  governmental  work  in 
palaeontology. 

But  palaeontology  was  not  the  only  scientific  sub- 
ject which  engaged  his  attention.  He  was,  when 
Secretary  of  State  in  Washington's  Cabinet,  chairman 
of  a  committee  organized  by  the  American  Philo- 
sophical Society  in  1792^0  collect  materials  for  the 
natural  history  of  the  Hessian  Fly,  whose  ravages  in 
the  wheat-fields  threatened  so  great  a  danger  to  the 
prosperity  of  the  country.  This  appears  to  be  the 
first  organized  effort  in  economic  entomology  in  the 
United  States. 

He  was  greatly  interested  in  the  discovery  and 
cultivation  of  plants  useful  in  agriculture.  He  had 
a  table  beautifully  drawn  up,  giving  the  average 
earliest  and  latest  appearance  of  thirty-seven  varie- 
ties of  vegetables  in  the  Washington  market  during 
the  whole  eight  years  of  his  Presidency,  and  on  his 
journeys  abroad  he  was  always  looking  out  for  new 
plants  which  might  with  profit  be  transplanted  to 


Jefferson  as  a  Man  of  Science  vii 

America.  When  in  later  life  he  drew  up  a  list  of  the 
services  he  believed  he  had  rendered  his  countrymen, 
he  enumerated,  along  with  the  disestablishment  of  a 
State  Church,  the  abolition  of  entails,  the  prohibition 
of  slave  importation,  and  the  drafting  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  "  the  introduction  of  olive  plants 
and  heavy  upland  rice  into  South  Carolina  and  Geor- 
gia," declaring  that  "the  greatest  service  which  can 
be  rendered  to  any  country  is  to  add  a  useful  plant 
to  its  culture." 

His  interest  in  agriculture  even  went  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  invention  of  a  new  plow.  As  far  back  as 
1788  Jefferson  entered  upon  some  speculations  con- 
cerning the  improvement  of  plows,  and  attempted  to 
sketch  an  original  and  uniform  mathematical  rule  for 
shaping  the  mould-board  of  a  plow,  the  object  being 
to  secure  the  regular  inversion  of  a  certain  depth  of 
the  surface  soil  with  the  least  application  of  force. 
By  1796  his  new  plows  were  in  use.  A  Mr.  Strick- 
land, a  member  of  the  English  Board  of  Agriculture, 
being  on  a  visit  to  Monticello,  saw  there  plows  in 
operation  constructed  on  this  principle,  and  mention- 
ing them  favorably  on  his  return,  the  Board,  through 
its  president,  Sir  John  Sinclair,  requested  from  Mr. 
Jefferson  a  model  and  a  description.  These  were 
forwarded  to  England  in  1798.  The  description  was 
published  in  the  Edinburgh  Encyclopaedia  and  in 
the  fourth  volume  of  the  Transactions  of  the  Ameri- 
can Philosophical  Society.  The  invention  also 
attracted   attention   in    France.    He   is  likewise 


viii       Jefferson  as  a  Man  of  Science 

credited  with  being  the  inventor  of  the  copying 
press.  He  made  observations  in  meteorology  and 
had  a  good  collection  of  philosophical  apparatus. 

It  has  been  declared  by  Mr.  Goode  that  "it  is 
probable  that  no  two  men  have  done  so  much  for 
science  in  America  as  Jefferson  and  Agassiz — not  so 
much  by  their  direct  contributions  to  knowledge,  as 
by  the  immense  weight  which  they  gave  to  scientific 
interests  by  their  advocacy." 

This  statement  is  fully  borne  out  by  the  impetus 
which  Jefferson  gave  to  the  relationship  of  the  Gov- 
ernment to  scientific  work.  The  inception  of  the 
system  of  scientific  surveys  of  the  public  domain  was 
the  outcome  of  more  than  twenty  years  of  earnest 
endeavor  on  his  part.  It  was  he  who  suggested  to 
John  Ledyard,  of  Connecticut,  the  enterprise  of 
exploring  the  western  part  of  our  continent  by  pass- 
ing through  St.  Petersburg  to  Kamchatka,  and  pro- 
curing passage  in  some  Russian  vessel  to  the  United 
States — a  project  which  failed  because  of  the  arrest 
of  Ledyard.  In  1792  he  proposed  to  the  American 
Philosophical  Society  to  set  on  foot  a  subscription  to 
explore  the  great  West,  and  for  this  subscription 
became  responsible  for  raising  one  thousand  guineas. 
This  was  to  have  been  undertaken  jointly  by  Captain 
Meriwether  Lewis  and  Michaux,  the  botanist,  but  it 
also  failed.  In  1803  he  recommended  to  Congress 
in  a  confidential  message,  the  sending  of  an  exploring 
party  to  trace  the  Missouri  to  its  source,  to  cross  the 
highlands,  to  follow  the  best  water  communication 


Jefferson  as  a  Man  of  Science  ix 

which  offered  itself  from  thence  to  the  Pacific  Ocean. 
Congress  approved  the  proposition  and  voted  a  sum 
of  money  for  carrying  it  into  execution.  Captain 
Lewis,  who  had  been  with  Jefferson  nearly  two  years 
as  private  secretary,  immediately  renewed  his  request 
to  have  direction  of  the  party.  The  second  expedi- 
tion toward  the  West  was  also  sent  out  during  Jeffer- 
son's administration,  being  that  under  command  of 
General  Z.  M.  Pike,  who  was  sent  to  explore  the 
sources  of  the  Mississippi  River  and  the  western  parts 
of  Louisiana,  continuing  as  far  west  as  Pike's  Peak, 
the  name  of  which  still  remains  as  a  memorial  of  this 
enterprise.  It  was  during  Jefferson's  administration, 
too,  that  the  project  of  founding  the  Coast  Survey 
arose.  This  was  recommended  to  Congress  by  the 
President  in  1807. 

It  was  under  his  Presidency  that  the  idea  of  Wash- 
ington for  the  establishment  of  a  Military  Academy 
at  West  Point  was  fulfilled,  and  Jefferson  also  had  a 
plan,  realized  later,  for  the  establishment  of  a  National 
Observatory.  It  was  he  who  proposed  the  unit  of  the 
present  coinage  of  the  United  States. 

He  was  elected  President  of  the  American  Philo- 
sophical Society  in  January,  1797,  and  held  that 
office  until  18 14,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  his 
age.  His  connection  with  the  Society,  as  may  be 
seen  from  the  statements  above,  was  by  no  means 
perfunctory.  During  his  residence  in  Paris  he  kept 
four  of  the  principal  American  colleges,  Harvard, 
Yale,  William  and  Mary,  and  the  College  of  Phila- 


X 


Jefferson  as  a  Man  of  Science 


delphia,  informed  of  all  that  happened  in  the  scien- 
tific circles  cf  Europe.  Even  such  a  subject  as  aerial 
invention  attracted  his  attention.  His  letters  of 
1785  contain  several  references  to  the  Montgolfier 
balloon.  At  a  time  when  the  natural  sciences  were 
but  little  cultivated  in  the  established  universities, 
he  wrote  to  Doctor  Willard,  the  President  of  Harvard, 
urging  their  pursuit.  "  What  a  field, "  he  said,  "  have 
we  at  our  doors  to  signalize  ourselves  in.  The  botany 
of  America  is  far  from  being  exhausted,  its  miner- 
alogy is  untouched,  and  its  natural  history  or  zoology, 
totally  mistaken  and  misrepresented." 

His  devotion  to  science,  coincident  with  his  active 
public  life  and  the  bitter  enmities  which  it  engen- 
dered, gave  the  opportunity  for  much  public  criti- 
cism, yet  it  afforded  Jefferson,  as  it  did  to  Franklin, 
especial  consideration  as  representative  of  the  new 
nation  in  France ;  it  earned  him  election  in  numerous 
learned  societies  in  Europe  and  gave  an  impetus  to 
the  organization  of  science  both  in  the  learned  socie- 
ties, in  the  colleges  and  in  connection  with  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States,  such  as  could  only 
have  been  exercised  by  a  man  who  had  occupied  the 
exalted  office  of  President  of  the  United  States. 


1 


Jefferson's  Marriage  License-Bond 

Fac-Simale  of  the  Original  Document  Signed  December  23,  1 7 7 1 . 

On  January  1,  1772,  Thomas  Jefferson  married  Martha  Skelton, 
the  widow  of  Bathurst  Skelton,  and  daughter  of  John  Wayles.  Their 
marriage  license-bond,  of  which  a  fac-simile  is  given  here,  shows  the 
procedure  required  by  the  Virginia  laws  of  these  ante-Revolutionary 
days.  This  contract  was  drawn  and  signed  by  Jefferson  himself. 
The  additional  signature  of  Francis  Eppes  is  that  of  the  father  oi 
Jefferson's  son-in-law,  John  W.  Eppes, 


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CA^uTta  Stnh-^fa.  wUvU&i.'Z  %         ko^LA^  u-o^-m^i^  l&L.'fc-ci^, 


Jefferson's  Will 

Fac-simile  of  the  Original  Document  in  the  Circuit  Court 
Charlottesville,  Va. 


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CONTENTS. 


PAGB 

Jefferson  as  a  Man  of  Science.    By  Cyrus  Adler, 
Ph.  D.,  Librarian  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 

Washington,  D.  C   iii 

Supplementary  Manuscripts  from  the  Govern- 
ment Collection.    (Letters  written  from,  1780- 

1825)    1-288 

To  Horatio  Gates,  November  4,  1780   1 

To  William  Carmichael,  June  22, 1785   2 

To  Francis  Hopkinson,  July  6, 1785   5 

To  George  Washington,  July  10,  1785   8 

To  St.  John  De  Crevecceur,  August  22,  1785  ....  10 

To  James  Currie,  September  27, 1785   11 

To  Rev  James  Madison,  October  28, 1785   15 

To  Francis  Eppes,  December  11,  1785   20 

To  George  Washington,  January  4,  1786   23 

To  Willam  Carmichael,  January  13,  1786   26 

To  James  Madison,  April  25,  1786   29 

To  Philip  Mazzei,  April  4,  1787   32 

To  L'Abbe  D'Arnal,  July  9,  1787   34 

To  John  Adams,  July  23,  1787   36 

To  Benjamin  Franklin,  August  6,  1787   38 

To  John  Adams,  December  31,  1787   39 

To  Edward  Bancroft,  January  26, 17 88   41 

To  Countess  Barziza,  July  8,  1788   45 

To  C.  W.  F.  Dumas,  July  30,  1788   46 

To  John  Jay,  September  5,  1788   47 

To  Francis  Hopkinson,  December  21,  1788  .  .  .  f  48 


xii  Contents 

Supplementary  Manuscripts  from  the  Govern- 
ment CoLLECTiON-Continued.  PAGb 

To  John  Jay,  March  i,  1789   52 

To  John  Paul  Jones,  March,  23  1789   54 

To  John  Adams,  May  10,  1789   60 

To  Nathaniel  Cutting,  June  7,  1789   62 

To  Thomas  Paine,  July  13,  1789   63 

To  John  Bondfield,  July  16, 1789   64 

To  John  Jay,  August  5,  1789   65 

To  Gen.  Henry  Knox,  September  12,  1789  ,  .  . .  .  67 

To  William  Bingham,  September  25,  1789  ...  .  69 

To  Baron  De  Geismer,  November  20,  1789  ....  71 

To  David  Rittenhouse,  June  12,  1790   73 

To  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  (Alexander 

Hamilton),  June  25,  1791   75 

To  T.  M.  Randolph,  July  3,  1791   76 

To  James  Madison,  July  21,  179 1   79 

To  Gov.  William  Blount,  August  12,  1791  .  .  .  81 
To  George  Hammond  (British  Minister),  De- 
cember 15,  1791  .   82 

To  George  Washington,  January  10,  1792   86 

To  Peter  Charles  L' Enfant,  February  27, 1792.  87 
To  Thomas  Johnson,  David  Stuart  and  Daniel 

Carroll,  March  8,  1792   88 

To  Louis  XVI,  March  14,  1792   92 

To  Benjamin  Hawkins,  April  1,  1792   93 

To  Thomas  Johnson,  David  Stuart  and  Daniel 

Carroll,  April  20, 1792   94 

To  His  Majesty  George  III,  of  England,  June  6, 

1792    96 

To  the  Queen  of  England,  June  6, 1792   97 

To  Stephen  Cathalan,  December  2, 1792   98 

To  Gov.  John  Hancock,  [1793?]   101 

To  David  Humphreys,  January  3,  1793   102 

To  John  Garland  Jefferson,  April  14, 1793   103 


Contents  xiii 

Supplementary  Manuscripts  from  the  Govern- 
ment CoLLECTioN-Continued.  page 

To  Edmond  C.  Genet,  August  16,  1793   105 

To  Maria  Jefferson,  November  17,  1793   106 

To  Alexander  Hamilton,  December  12,  1793  .  .  .  107 
To  the  President  of  Bank  of  the  United  States, 

January  — ,  1794   108  , 

To  George  Washington,  February  23,  1795   108 

To  Aaron  Burr,  January  7, 1797   114 

To  Louis,  Prince  of  Parma,  May  23,  1797   115 

To  Gov.  James  Monroe,  April  13, 1800   119 

To  Andrew  Ellicott,  December  18,  1800   121 

To  Gen.  Thaddeus  Kosciusko,  March  14,  1801  .  .  122 

To  James  Madison,  April  30,  1801   124 

To  John  Langdon,  May  22, 1 801   125 

To  James  Monroe,  March  31, 180 2   126 

To  Abraham  Baldwin,  April  14, 1802   128 

To  Thomas  Law,  May  31,  1802   130 

To  William  Dunbar,  March  3,  1803   131 

To  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush,  April  23,  1803   133 

To  Henry  Dearborn,  August  23,  1803   134 

To  the  Emperor  of  Morocco,  December  20,  1803  135 

To  John  Langdon,  December  22,  1803   136 

To  Gov.  John  Page,  December  23,  1803   138 

To  the  Dey  of  Algiers,  March  27,  1804   139 

To  F.  H.  Alexander  von  Humboldt,  May  28, 

1804   140 

To  the  Secretary  of   War  (Henry  Dearborn), 

June  6,  1804   141 

To  Alexander,  Emperor  of  Russia,  June  15, 1804  142 
To  the  Brothers  of  the  Choctaw  Nation,  March 

13.  l8o5   U4 

To  the  Chiefs  of  the  Cherokee  Nation,  January 

10,  1806    146 

To  William  H.  Harrison,  January  16,  1806  ....    *  150 


xiv  Contents 

Supplementary  Manuscripts  from  the  Govern- 
ment Collection — Continued.  PXGB 
To  Rev.  Doctor  G.  C.  Jenner,  May  14,  1806  ....  152 

To  Albert  Gallatin,  June  21,  1806   153 

To  Pierre  Auguste  Adet,  June  29,  1806   154 

To  Andrew  Jackson,  December  3,  1806   156 

To  John  Langdon,  December  22,  1806   157 

To  Henry  Lee,  February  1,  1807   158 

To  Andrew  Jackson,  March  21,  180 7   159 

To  Joel  Barlow,  June  14,  1807   161 

To  George  Hay,  October  11, 1807   162 

To  Fi  A.  Delacroix,  December  21,  1807   162 

To  George  Hay,  February  16,  1808   164 

To  G.  Hyde  de  Neuville,  February  17,  1808  ...  165 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  April  28,  1808   166 

To  Thomas  Paine,  July  17,  1808   170 

To  Archibald  Stuart,  October  22,  1808   171 

To  Robert  Fulton,  April  16,1810   172 

To  Dr.  William  Eustis,  May  30,  1810   174 

To  W.  B.  Giles,  November  12,  1810   175 

To  James  Madison,  December  8,1810   176 

To  James  Monroe,  January  8,1811   179 

To  Rev.  James  Madison,  December  29,  181 1  .  .  .  183 

To  Andrew  Ellicott,  June  24,1812   185 

To  William  Barton,  October  2,1812   186 

To  Alrichs  and  Dixon,  January  14,1813   186 

To  Robert  Fulton,  March  8,  1813   187 

To  Elbridge  Gerry,  June  19,1813   189 

To  James  Madison,  July  13, 18 13    190 

To  Robert  Fulton,  July  21,1813   *92 

To  Abigail  Adams  (Mrs.  John  Adams),  August 

22,  1813   193 

To  Dupont  de  Nemours,  November  29,  1813  .  .  .  195 

To  Thaddeus  Kosciusko,  November  30,  18 13 . .  .  200 

To  James  Monroe,  January  27,  1 814   206 


Contents  xv 

Supplementary  Manuscripts  from  the  Govern- 
ment Collection — Continued.  pagb 

To  J.  Correa  de  Serra,  April  19,  1814   209 

To  Peter  Carr,  September  7,1814   211 

To  William  Caruthers,  December  3,1814   221 

To  B.  S.  Barton,  February  26,  1815   223 

To  J.  Correa  De  Serra,  January  1,  1816   224 

To  Thomas  Applet  on,  January  14,  1816   228 

To  P.  S.  Duponeeau,  January  22,1816   231 

To  Albert  Gallatin,  April  11,1816   233 

To  J.  F.  Dumoulin,  May  7,  1816   236 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  May  17,1816   237 

To  Francis  Eppes,  May  21,1816   241 

To  James  Barbour,  January  19,1817   242 

To  James  Monroe,  April  8,1817   243 

To  Joseph  Delaplaine,  April  12,1817   2 4-6 

To  Jean  Baptiste  Say,  May  14,  1817   248 

To  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  October  24,1817   250 

To  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  (William  H. 

Crawford),  January  5,1818   252 

To  Gen.  John  Armstrong,  January  17,  1818.  .  .  .  253 
To  Count  Dugnani  (Papal  Nuncio),  February 

14,  1818   254 

To  Albert  Gallatin,  February  15,1818   258 

To  Jacob  Bigelow,  April  11,1818   259 

To  Charles  Jared  Ingersoll,  July  20,  1818   262 

To  Joseph  Milligan,  October  25,  1 8 18   263 

To  Nathaniel  Bowditch,  October  26,  1818   264 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  November  23,1818..  268 

To  Henry  Dearborn,  July  5,1819   270 

To  Elijah  Griffith,  May  15,  1820   273 

To  James  Monroe,  August  13,1821   274 

To  Levett  Harris,  December  12,1821   277 

To  John  Quincy  Adams,  July  18, 1824   278 

To  James  Madison,  September  24,  1824   278 


xvi  Contents 

Supplementary  Manuscripts  from  the  Govern- 
ment CohLBCTiON-Continued.  PAG? 
To  Messrs.  Adams,  Fitzuhuylson  and  Brocken- 

brough,  October  18,  1824   279 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  January  16,1825....  2  80 

To  William  H.  Crawford,  February  15,  1825  ....  282 

To  Edward  Everett,  July  21,  1825   283 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  August  8,  1825   285 

To  James  Madison,  October  18,1825   2^6 

Manuscripts  from  the  Virginia  State  Library 

Collection.     (Letters  written  from  1 780-1 781)  293-356 
To  the  Quarter-Masters  of  Frederick,  Hampshire 

and  Berkeley,  December  24,  1780   293 

To  Major- General  Baron  Steuben,  January  12 , 

1781    294 

To  Major-General  Baron  Steuben,  January  14, 

1781   294 

To  Colonel  Timothy  Pickering,  January  15,1781  296 

To  General  Nelson,  January  16,1781   297 

To  Colonel  Carvington,  January  16,  1781   298 

To  Baron  Steuben,  January  19,1781   298 

To  Baron  Steuben,  January  19,1781   300 

To  Baron  Steuben,  January  29,1781   300 

To  Governor  Nash,  of  North  Carolina,  February 

2,  1781   301 

To  Baron  Steuben,  February  7,1781   302 

To  Baron  Steuben,  February  7,1781   303 

To  the  Virginia  Delegates  in  Congress,  February 

7»  !781    304 

To  General  Nelson,  February  10,1781   305 

To  Baron  Steuben,  February  12,1781   306 

To  Speaker   Harrison   (House  of  Burgesses), 

February  12,  1 781 .... .   309 

To  Baron  Steuben,  February  13,  1781   310 


Contents  xvK 

Manuscripts  from  the  Virginia  State  Library 

Collection — Continued.  page 

To  Baron  Steuben,  February  15,  1781   311 

To  Baron  Steuben,  February  17,  1781   312 

To  Baron  Steuben,  February  18,  1781   313 

To  General  Greene,  February  19,  1781   .  314 

To  Baron  Steuben,  February  21,  1 78 1   315 

To  the  Officer  Commanding  the  Naval  Force  of 
His  Most  Christian  Majesty  on  the  Coast  of 

Virginia,  February  28,1781   316 

To  Colonel  Pickering,  March  4,1781   317 

To  the  Honorable  Judges  of  the  High  Court  of 

Chancery,  March  5,  1781   319 

To  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  March 

9>  1781   320 

To  General  Muhlenberg,  March  16,1781   321 

To  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  March 

i7>   x781    322 

To  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates, 

March  17,  1781   322 

To  His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  Hispaniola, 

March  24,  1781   323 

To  His  Excellency  Governor  Nash,  March  24,1781  324 

To  General  Greene,  March  24,  1781   326 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  March  28,  178 1   328 

To  Baron  Steuben,  April  3,  1771   330 

To  General  Muhlenberg,  April  3,1781   331 

To  Baron  Steuben,  April  6,  1781   333 

To  Major-General  Nathaniel  Greene,  April  5, 

1781   :   334 

To  Colonel  Henry  Lee,  April  13,1781   336 

To  Baron  Steuben,  April  14,  1 781    337 

To  the  County  Lieutenants  of  Fauquier,  Lou- 
doun, Caroline,  Albemarle,  Fluvanna,  Gooch- 
land and  Henrico,  April  14,1781   338 

VOL.  XIX  B 


xviii 


Contents 


Manuscripts  from  the  Virginia  State  Library 

Collection — Continued.  PAGE 
To  the  Honorable  Richard  Henry  Lee,  April  16, 

i7Sl    34o 

To  General  Muhlenberg,  April  16,1781   341 

To  John  Page,  April  18,  1781   342 

To  Baron  Steuben,  April  20,1781   343 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  April  23,  1781   344 

To  the  President  of  the  Board  of  War,  April  23, 

1781    345 

To  Baron  Steuben,  April  26,  1781   346 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  May  6,  1781   348 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington  and  the 
Honorable  Virginia  Delegates  in  Congress, 

May  10,  1781   348 

To  His  Excellency  President  Reid,  May  22,  1781  349 

To  Major  Richard  Claiborne,  May  23,  1 78 1   350 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  May  29,  1781   351 

To  the  County  Lieutenants  of  York,  New  Kent, 
Hanover,  Gloucester,  King  and  Queen,  King 
William,  Middlesex,  Essex,  Caroline,  Spotsyl- 
vania, Lancaster,  Richmond,  King  George, 
Northumberland,  Westmoreland,  Stafford, 
Prince  William,  Fairfax,  Loudoun  and  Berke- 
ley, May  29,  1781   353 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  May  30,  1781   354 

To  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  May  30,  1781   355 

To  the  Surveyor  of  the  County  of  Monongalia, 

June  3,  1781   356 

Manuscripts  from  the  University  of  Virginia 
Collection.  An  Exact  Transcript  of  the 
Minutes  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia  during  the  Rectorship  of 
Thomas  Jefferson    361-499 


Declaration  Signers  From  the  Emmet  Collection 

(Northern  Group  representing  Pennsylvania,  Connecticut,  New 
Hampshire  and  New  York.) 

Reproductions  from  the  original  etchings  and  water-color  drawings 
by  H.  B.  Hall  in  the  complete  set  of  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  collected  by  Dr.  Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  and  deposited 
in  the  Lenox  Library,  New  York.  The  two  groups  of  Signers  repro- 
duced from  the  Emmet  Collection  are  presented  in  this  volume  and 
Volume  XX  respectively  for  the  purpose  of  supplementing  the  por- 
traits of  Signers  that  are  not  included  in  the  Independence  Hall 
Collection.  Some  of  these  supplementary  portraits,  however,  are 
derived  from  sources  of  questionable  authenticity. 


John  Morton  (17  24-1 77 7)  was  born 
in  Chester,  (Delaware  County).  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  1765  he  was  a  delegate  to  the 
Stamp  Act  Congress.  He  was  elected  .to 
the  First  Continental  Congress,  of  1774 
and  served  till  1776.  Fie  had  previously 
filled  the  offices  of  Sherirf  of  Chester 
County,  judge  of  the  Coun  of  Common 
Pleas  and  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  Province.  When  the  Pennsylvania 
delegation  was  divided  upon.;  the  question 
of  adopting  the  Declaration  Of  Independ-. 
ence,  Morton  gave  the  casting  vote  in  the 
affirmative. 

George  Taylor  (17 16-1781)  was  born 
in  Ireland.  He  left  home  without  per- 
mission to  sail  for  America.  Prom 
1764  to  1770  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Provincial  Assembly  that  met  at  Phila- 
delphia. In  1775  he  .was  •  pi? ced  on  the 
"Committee  of  Safety,"  and  in  1776  was 
one  of  the  Pennsylvania  delegates  Chosen 
to  go  to  the  Continental  Congress  in  place 
of  the  members  originally  selected  who 
had  hesitated  to  agree  to  the  measures 
of  Independence. 

Francis  Lewis  (1713-1803)  was  born 
in  Wales.  Arrived  in  America  in  1734. 
Became  a, successful  merchant.  In  1765 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Colonial  Congress, 
and  was  one  of  the  delegates  from  New 
York  to  the  Continental  Congress  from 
i775  to  1779.  His  extensive  experience 
in  commercial  affairs  made  him  an  invalu- 
able member  of  many  committees.  In 
1778  he  was  appointed  Commissioner  of 
the  Board  of  Admiralty, 


Samuel  Huntington  (1 731-1796)  was 
born  in  Windham,  Connecticut.  About 
1758  he  settled  as  a  lawyer  in  Norwich, 
and  became  a  member  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  1764.  From  1 775  to  1783  he- 
was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
serving  as  its  President  during  the  years 
1770  to  1781.  He  was  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Connecticut,  from  1774 
to  1784,  becoming  Chief  Justice  in  the 
latter  year.  From  1786  to  1796  he  was 
Governor  of  Connecticut. 

Matthew  Thornton  (1714-1803)  was 
born  in  Ireland.-  He  was  brought  to 
America  by  his  father  about  17 17.  He 
received  a  good  education  and  studied 
medicine.  He  was  chosen  President  of 
the  Provincial  Convention,  in  1775,  and 
was  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  New 
Hampshire  from*  1776  to  1782.  In  Sep- 
tember 1776,  the  Legislature  of  New. 
Hampshire  made  him  a  delegate  to  the 
Continental  Congress.  Although  not  a 
member  of  the  Congress  when  the  Declara- 
tion was  voted  upon,  he  affixed  his  signa- 
ture to  the  engrossed  copy  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  Pennsylvania  Delegates. 

James  Smith  (17 20-1 806)  was  born  in 
Ireland.  .Came  with  his  father  to  America 
in- 1729.  Was  educated  at  the  College  of 
Pennsylvania  and.  subsequently  studied 
law.  In  1774  he  raised  the  first  volun- 
teer company  in  Pennsylvania,  to  resist 
Great  Britain.  He  served  as  a  member 
of  Congress  from  Pennsylvania,  from  1776 
to  1778,  and  filled  various  other  important 
offices. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Jefferson  at  Sixty   Frontispiece 

Photogravure  from  the  Original  Gypsum  Bas-relief  by- 
George  Miller. 


FACING  PAGE 

Virginia  Statues  of  Jefferson   ii 

Reproduction  from  the  Original  Sculptures  by  Edward  V. 
Valentine  and  Alexander  Gait. 


Jefferson's  Marriage  License  Bond    x 

Fac-simile  of  the  Original  Document. 

Jefferson's  Will   x 

Fac-simile  of  the  Original  Document  in  the  Circuit  Court 
at  Charlottesville,  Va. 

Declaration  Signers  from  the  Emmet  Collection 
(Northern  Group)    xviii 

Reproduced  from  the  Original  Engravings  deposited  in 
the  Lenox  Library,  New  York. 

Thomas  Paine   62 

Reproduction  from   the  Original   Painting  by  George 
Romney. 

Marquis  de  Lafayette    288 

Reproduction   from  the  Original  Painting  by  Thomas 
Sully. 

Voting  the  Declaration  of  Independence    356 

Reproduction  from  the  Original  Engraving  by  Edward 
Savage. 


SUPPLEMENTARY 
MANUSCRIPTS 

FROM 

THE  GOVERNMENT  COLLECTION. 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTES. 


After  the  publication  of  the  Congressional  Edition  of  the  Writings 
of  Thomas  Jefferson,  in  1853,  a  great  number  of  valuable  letters  and 
papers  were  given  to  the  world.  These  were  mainly  drawn  from  the 
archives  of  the  State  Department.  While  the  Congressional  Edition 
served  the  purpose  of  a  representative  selection  of  the  immense 
amount  of  Jefferson  manuscripts  at  Washington,  there  still  remained 
(even  after  later  examination  and  use)  an  interesting  residuum  worthy 
of  preservation  in  print.  To  this  end  a  new  research  was  instituted 
which  resulted  in  the  collection  to  be  found  under  the  ' '  Supplementary 
Manuscripts"  in  the  following  pages.  Therefore,  excepting  two 
letters,  one  to  the  Reverend  James  Madison,  October  28,  1785,  and 
the  other  to  Edward  Bancroft,  January  26,  1788,  both  published  by 
the  late  Paul  Leicester  Ford,  all  these  letters  and  notes  are  printed  for 
the  first  time  in  the  present  edition  of  Jefferson's  Writings. 

While  it  was  the  original  intention  to  incorporate  in  this  division 
of  "Supplementary  Manuscripts"  material  never  before  presented  to 
the  public  in  connection  with  Jefferson's  works,  the  two  letters  to 
Madison  and  Bancroft  were  considered  too  important  from  an  his- 
torical standpoint  to  be  omitted.  In  these  letters  Jefferson  expresses 
in  a  most  forceful  manner  his  impressions  of  the  French  peasantry 
before  the  Revolution  of  1789,  and  his  attitude  toward  the  slave  ques- 
tion in  the  United  States.  Many  of  the  letters  touch  upon  serious 
points  and  problems  connected  with  the  acquisition  of  the  Louisiana 
territory. 

Manuscripts  of  the  letters  are  addressed  to  the  celebrated  men  of 
the  period  such  as  Washington,  Monroe,  Kosciusko,  the  Emperor  of 
Russia,  Humboldt,  and  equally  eminent  personages.  The  group  of 
letters  to  Lafayette  are  probably  more  interesting  than  any  hitherto 
published.  This  new  quota  of  correspondence  covers  a  period 
between  1 780-1826,  in  fact  up  to  a  month  of  the  writer's  death. 

At  Jefferson's  death,  the  great  mass  of  his  manuscript  papers 
came  into  the  possession  of  his  grandson  and  namesake,  Thomas 
Jefferson  Randolph.    A  rough  division  was  made  of  these  papers 


xxiv 


Introductory  Notes 


which  separated  those  of  a  private  nature  from  those  of  public  char- 
acter. In  time  the  public  papers  were  for  sale  to  the  United  States 
Government.  The  Congress,  by  an  act  of  the  12th  of  April,  1848, 
made  an  appropriation  of  $20,000  for  the  purpose  of  purchase.  The 
Supplementary  Manuscripts  have  all  been  drawn  from  the  Government 
collection.  The  letters  and  memoranda  have  been  selected  with  a 
view  to  sustaining  the  standard  of  the  preceding  volumes.  Not 
alone  do  they  embrace  many  of  Jefferson's  letters  to  notable  corres- 
pondents, but  maintain  the  range  of  abstract  thought  and  practical 
suggestion  that  have  placed  Jefferson  in  the  foremost  rank  of  the 
world's  great  letter-writers. 


JEFFERSON'S  WORKS 


MANUSCRIPTS  FROM  THE  GOVERN- 
MENT COLLECTION. 


TO  HORATIO  GATES. 

Richmond,  November  4,  1780. 
Sir, — Since  my  last  to  you  the  enemy  have  with- 
drawn their  force  from  the  north  side  of  James  river 
and  have  taken  post  at  Portsmouth  which  we  are 
told  they  are  fortifying.  They  have  been  some  dis- 
tance above  Suffolk,  but  at  present  have  retired  below 
that  place.  More  accurate  information  of  their  force 
than  we  at  first  had  gives  us  reason  to  suppose  them 
from  2,500  to  3,000,  of  which  60  or  70  are  cavalry. 
They  are  commanded  by  Major-General  Leslie  and 
were  conveyed  by  the  Romulus  of  40  guns,  the 
Blonde  of  32,  the  Delight  sloop  of  16,  a  20-gun  ship 
of  John  Goodriche's  and  2  row  gallies  conveying  a 
3  2 -pounder  in  their  bows,  commanded  by  Commo- 
dore Gayton.  We  are  not  yet  assured  that  they 
have  landed  their  whole  force ;  indeed  they  give  out 
themselves  that  after  drawing  the  force  of  this  State 
to  Suffolk  they  mean  to  go  to  Baltimore.  Their 

VOL.  XIX — I 


2 


Jefferson's  Works 


movements  here' had  induced  me  to  think  they  came 
in  expectation  of  meeting  Lord  Cornwallis  in  this 
country;  that  his  precipitate  retreat  has  left  them 
without  concerted  object  and  that  they  wait  for 
further  orders.  Information  yesterday  said  that  on 
being  informed  of  Lord  Cornwallis  s  retreat  and  a 
public  paper  produced  to  them,  wherein  were  printed 
the  dispatches  you  sent  on  that  head,  they  unladed 
a  vessel  and  sent  her  off  either  to  Charleston  or  New 
York.  The  fate  of  this  army  of  theirs  hangs  on  a 
very  slender  naval  force  indeed. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  esteem  and  respect,  Sir, 
your  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  WILLIAM  CARMICHAEL. 

Paris,  June  22,  1785. 
Sir, — Your  letter  of  April  4  came  to  my  hands  on 
the  1 6th  of  that  month  and  was  acknowledged  by 
mine  of  May  3.  That  which  you  did  me  the  honor 
to  write  on  the  5th  of  April  never  came  to  hand  till 
the  19th  of  May,  upwards  of  a  month  after  the  one 
of  the  day  before.  I  have  hopes  of  sending  the 
present  by  a  Mr.  Jarvis  who  went  from  hence  to  Hol- 
land some  time  ago.  About  this  date  I  suppose  him 
to  be  at  Brussels  and  that  from  thence  he  will  inform 
me  whether  in  his  way  to  Madrid  he  will  pass  by  this 
place.  If  he  does,  this  shall  be  accompanied  by  a 
cypher  for  our  future  use ;  if  he  does  not,  I  must  still 
await  a  safe  opportunity.    Mr.  Jarvis  is  a  citizen  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3 


the  United  States,  from  New  York,  a  gentleman  of 
intelligence,  in  the  mercantile  line,  from  whom  you 
will  be  able  to  get  considerable  information  of  Ameri- 
can affairs.  I  think  he  left  America  in  January.  He 
informed  us  that  Congress  were  about  to  appoint  a 
Mr.  Lambe  of  Connecticut  their  consul  to  Morocco 
and  to  send  him  to  their  ministers  commissioned  to 
treat  with  the  Barbary  powers  for  instructions.  Since 
that,  Mr.  Jay  inclosed  to  Mr.  Adams,  in  London,  a 
resolution  of  Congress  deciding  definitely  on  amicable 
treaties  with  the  Barbary  States  in  the  usual  way  and 
informing  him  that  he  had  sent  a  letter  and  instruc- 
tions to  us  by  a  Mr.  Lambe.  Though  it  is  near  three 
weeks  since  we  received  a  communication  of  this 
from  Mr.  Adams,  yet  we  hear  nothing  further  of  Mr. 
Lambe.  Our  powers  of  treating  with  the  Barbary 
States  are  full,  but  in  the  amount  of  the  expense  we 
are  limited.  I  believe  you  may  safely  assure  them 
that  they  will  soon  receive  propositions  from  us,  if 
you  find  such  an  assurance  necessary  to  keep  them 
quiet.  Turning  at  this  instant  to  your  letter  dated 
April  5  and  considering  it  attentively  I  am  persuaded 
it  must  have  been  written  on  the  5th  of  May.  Of 
this  little  mistake  I  ought  to  have  been  sooner  sensi- 
ble. Our  latest  letters  from  America  are  of  the 
middle  of  April  and  are  extremely  barren  of  news. 
Congress  had  not  yet  proposed  a  time  for  their  recess 
though  it  was  thought  a  recess  would  take  place. 
Mr.  Morris  had  retired  and  the  treasury  was  actually 
administered  by  commissioners.    Their  land  office 


4 


Jefferson's  Works 


was  not  yet  opened.  The  settlements  of  Kaskaskia 
within  the  territory  ceded  to  them  by  Virginia  had 
prayed  the  establishment  of  a  regular  government 
and  they  were  about  sending  a  commissioner  to  them. 
General  Knox  was  appointed  their  secretary  of  the 
War  Office.  These  I  think  are  the  only  facts  we  have 
learnt  which  are  worth  communicating  to  you.  The 
inhabitants  of  Canada  have  sent  a  sensible  petition 
to  their  king  praying  the  establishment  of  an  assem- 
bly, the  benefits  of  the  habeas  corpus  laws  and  other 
privileges  of  British  subjects.  The  establishment 
of  an  assembly  is  denied,  but  most  of  their  other 
desires  granted.  We  are  now  in  hourly  expectation 
of  the  arrival  of  the  packet  which  should  have  sailed 
from  New  York  in  May.  Perhaps  that  may  bring 
us  matter  which  may  furnish  the  subject  of  a  more 
interesting  letter.  In  the  meantime  I  have  the  honor 
to  be  with  the  highest  respect,  Sir,  your  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servant. 

July  14,  1785.  I  have  thus  long  waited  day  after 
day  hoping  to  hear  from  Mr.  Jarvis  that  I  might  send 
a  cypher  with  this,  but  now  give  up  the  hope.  No 
news  yet  of  Mr.  Lambe.  The  packet  is  arrived,  but 
brings  no  intelligence  except  that  it  is  doubtful 
whether  Congress  will  adjourn  this  summer.  The 
Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  propose  their  bank  on 
principles  of  policy. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  5 


TO  FRANCIS  HOPKINSON. 

Paris,  July  6,  1785. 

Dear  Sir, — My  last  to  you  was  of  the  13th  of 
January.  About  ten  days  after  that  date  I  received 
yours  of  November  18th  and  about  three  weeks  ago 
that  of  March  28th  came  to  hand.  Soon  after  the 
receipt  of  the  first  I  published  your  proposition  for 
improving  the  quilling  of  the  harpsicord.  I  enclose 
you  a  copy  of  the  advertisement.  One  application 
only  was  made  and  that  was  unsuccessful.  I  do  not 
despair  yet  of  availing  you  of  it  as  soon  as  I  can  get 
acquainted  with  some  of  the  principal  musicians; 
but  that  probably  will  not  be  till  the  beginning  of 
winter,  as  all  the  beau  monde  leave  Paris  in  the  sum- 
mer, during  which  the  musical  entertainments  of  a 
private  nature  are  suspended.  I  communicated  to 
Dr.  Franklin  your  idea  of  mesmerising  the  harpsicord. 
He  has  not  tried  it,  probably  because  his  affairs  have 
been  long  packed  and  packing.  As  I  do  not  play  on 
that  instrument  I  cannot  try  it  myself. 

The  Doctor  carries  with  him  a  pretty  little  instru- 
ment. It  is  the  sticcado,  with  glass  base  instead  of 
wooden  ones,  and  with  keys  applied  to  it.  Its  prin- 
cipal defect  is  the  want  of  extent,  having  but  three 
octaves.  I  wish  you  would  exercise  your  ingenuity 
to  give  it  an  upper  and  a  lower  octave,  by  finding  out 
other  substances  which  will  yield  tones  on  those 
parts  of  the  scale,  bearing  a  proper  affinity  to  those 
of  glass  bars.    The  middle  octave  of  this  is  very 


6 


Jefferson's  Works 


sweet.  Have  you  any  person  on  Dr.  Franklin's 
departure  to  attend  to  the  receiving  and  forwarding 
your  volumes  of  the  Encyclopedie  as  they  come  out? 
If  you  have  not,  be  pleased  to  lay  your  commands 
on  me.  Do  not  be  anxious  about  remitting  the 
prices  as  it  would  be  a  convenience  to  me  to  have 
some  little  fund  in  Philadelphia  to  answer  little  pur- 
poses. I  wrote  you  for  newspapers  from  thence  and 
shall  hope  to  begin  soon  to  receive  them.  The  dearth 
of  American  information  places  us  as  to  our  own 
country  in  the  silence  of  the  grave.  I  also  petitioned 
you  to  know  whether  I  am  yet  at  liberty  to  permit  a 
copy  to  be  taken  of  General  Washington's  picture, 
because  till  I  am  I  cannot  trust  it  in  the  hands  of  a 
painter  to  be  finished.  Another  petition  was  for  a 
copy  of  our  "  Battle  of  the  Kegs." 

Having  slipped  the  opportunity  of  sending  copies 
of  my  "  Notes"  for  yourself  and  Mr.  Rittenhouse 
when  Dr.  Franklin's  baggage  went,  I  am  doubtful 
whether  he  can  take  them  with  him.  If  he  can,  you 
shall  receive  them  by  him;  if  not,  then  by  the  first 
good  opportunity.  I  am  obliged  to  pray  that  they 
may  not  be  permitted  to  get  into  the  hands  of  the 
public  till  I  know  whether  they  will  promote  or 
retard  certain  reformations  in  my  own  country.  I 
have  written  to  Mr.  Madison  to  inform  me  on  that 
head. 

No  news.  A  tolerable  certainty  of  peace  leaves 
us  without  that  unfortunate  species  of  intelligence 
which   war   furnishes.    My   daughter   is   well.  I 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  7 


enclose  a  letter  from  my  daughter  to  Mrs.  Hopkinson, 
which  she  wrote  four  months  ago,  and  has  lain  by 
me  till  I  should  write  to  you.  Justice  to  her  obliges 
me  to  take  this  censure  on  myself.  I  take  the  liberty 
of  using  your  cover  also  for  her  letter  to  Miss  Hetty 
Rittenhouse. 

Present  my  most  friendly  respects  to  Mrs.  Ritten- 
house both  of  that  name,  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse  and 
family  and  accept  assurances  of  the  esteem  with 
which  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  friend  and  servant. 

July  8th.  P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above,  yours 
of  April  20  is  put  into  my  hands.  I  will  pray  you 
to  send  the  newspapers — trimming  off  the  margins — 
as  the  postage  is  not  an  object  of  so  much  value  with 
me  as  the  knowing  something  of  what  is  passing  in 
my  own  country.  Whenever  I  find  an  opportunity 
of  sending  you  a  copy  of  my  ' '  Notes"  I  shall  send 
also  the  Bibliotheque  Physique  to  you.  It  is  a  col- 
lection of  all  the  improvements  in  the  arts  which  have 
been  made  for  some  time  past.  Let  me  add  another 
commission  to  those  above  given  you,  that  is,  to  pre- 
sent mine  and  my  daughter's  affectionate  remem- 
brance to  Mrs.  House  and  to  Mrs.  Trist  if  she  be 
returned.  From  the  latter  I  shall  hope  for  letters 
as  soon  as  she  returns.  I  would  write  to  her  but  for 
the  uncertainty  where  she  is. 


8 


Jefferson's  Works 


TO  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

Paris,  July  10,  1785. 

Dear  Sir, — Mr.  Houdon  would  much  sooner  have 
the  honor  of  attending  you  but  for  a  spell  of  sickness 
which  long  gave  us  to  despair  of  his  recovery  and  from 
which  he  is  but  recently  recovered.  He  comes  now 
for  the  purpose  of  lending  the  aid  of  his  art  to  trans- 
mit you  to  posterity.  He  is  without  rivalship  in  it, 
being  employed  from  all  parts  of  Europe  in  whatever 
is  capital.  He  has  had  a  difficulty  to  withdraw  him- 
self from  an  order  of  the  Empress  of  Russia,  a  diffi- 
culty which  arose  from  a  desire  to  show  her  respect, 
but  which  never  gave  him  a  moment's  hesitation 
about  his  present  voyage  which  he  considers  as 
promising  the  brightest  chapter  in  his  history.  I 
have  spoken  of  him  as  an  artist  only;  but  I  can 
assure  you  also  that  as  a  man  he  is  disinterested, 
generous,  candid,  and  panting  after  glory;  in  every 
circumstance  meriting  your  good  opinion.  He  will 
have  need  to  see  you  much  while  he  will  have  the 
honor  of  being  with  you,  which  you  can  the  more 
freely  admit  as  his  eminence  and  merit  give  him 
admission  into  genteel  societies  here.  He  will  need 
an  interpreter.  I  supposed  you  could  procure  some 
person  from  Alexandria  who  might  be  agreeable  to 
yourself  to  perform  this  office.  He  brings  with  him 
a  subordinate  workman  or  two,  who  of  course  will 
associate  with  their  own  class  only. 

On  receiving  the  favor  of  your  letter  of  February 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  9 


25,  I  communicated  the  plan  for  clearing  the  Poto- 
mac, with  the  act  of  assembly  and  an  explanation 
of  its  probable  advantages,  to  Mr.  Grand,  whose 
acquaintance  and  connection  with  the  moneyed  men 
here  enabled  him  best  to  try  its  success.  He  has 
done  so,  but  to  no  end.  I  enclose  you  his  letter.  I 
am  pleased  to  hear  in  the  meantime  that  subscrip- 
tions were  likely  to  be  filled  up  at  home.  This  is 
infinitely  better,  and  will  render  the  proceedings  of 
the  companies  much  more  harmonious.  I  place  an 
immense  importance  to  my  own  country  on  this 
channel  of  connection  with  the  new  western  states. 
I  shall  continue  uneasy  till  I  know  that  Virginia  has 
assumed  her  ultimate  boundary  to  the  westward. 
The  late  example  of  the  State  of  Franklin  separated 
from  North  Carolina  increases  my  anxieties  for  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  confidence  you  are  so  good  as  to  place  in  me 
on  the  subject  of  the  interest  lately  given  you  by 
Virginia  in  the  Potomac  company  is  very  flattering 
to  me.  But  it  is  distressing  also,  inasmuch  as  to 
deserve  it  it  obliges  me  to  give  my  whole  opinion. 
My  wishes  to  see  you  made  perfectly  easy  by  receiv- 
ing these  just  returns  of  gratitude  from  our  country, 
to  which  you  are  entitled,  would  induce  me  to  be 
contented  with  saying,  what  is  a  certain  truth,  that 
the  world  would  be  pleased  with  seeing  them  heaped 
on  you,  and  would  consider  your  receiving  them  as 
no  derogation  from  your  reputation.  But  I  must 
own  that  declining  them  will  add  to  that  reputation 


io  Jefferson's  Works 


as  it  will  show  that  your  motives  have  been  pure  and 
without  any  alloy.  This  testimony,  however,  is  not 
wanting  either  to  those  who  know  you  or  who  do  not. 
I  must  therefore  repeat  that  I  think  the  receiving 
them  will  not  in  the  least  lessen  the  respect  of  the 
world  if  from  any  circumstances  they  would  be  con- 
venient to  you.  The  candor  of  my  communication 
will  find  its  justification,  I  know,  with  you. 

A  tolerable  certainty  of  peace  leaves  little  interest- 
ing in  the  way  of  intelligence.  Holland  and  the 
Emperor  will  be  quiet ;  if  anything  is  brewing,  it  is 
between  the  latter  and  the  Porte.  Nothing  in  pros- 
pect as  yet  from  England;  we  shall  bring  them, 
however,  to  decision  now  that  Mr.  Adams  is  received 
there.  I  wish  much  to  hear  that  the  canal  through 
Dismal  is  resumed. 


TO  ST.  JOHN  DE  CREVECCEUR. 

Paris,  August  22,  1785. 
Sir, — I  have  duly  received  your  favor  of  the  15th 
instant  as  I  had  before  done  that  of  May  18,  but  had 
not  answered  it,  supposing  you  would  be  on  your 
passage.  Mr.  Mazzei  delivered  safely  the  packet  you 
mention.  I  should  have  been  happy  to  have  seen 
you  here ;  but  we  are  not  to  expect  that  pleasure,  it 
seems,  till  the  fall.  The  derangement  of  the  packet 
boats  will  need  your  aid;  and  there  are  doubtless 
other  circumstances  here  which  may  be  improved 
by  your  presence.    The  loss  sustained  by  your 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  n 


friend  the  Countess  d'Houdetot  in  the  death  of  her 
brother,  has  doubtless  been  participated  by  you  as 
by  all  others  of  his  and  her  acquaintance.  I  had 
become  of  that  number  just  early  enough  to  take  a 
share  in  it  which  I  did  very  sincerely. 

The  confinement  of  the  Cardinal  de  Rohan  in  the 
Bastile  has  doubtless  reached  you.  The  public  is 
not  yet  possessed  of  the  truth  of  his  story,  but  from 
his  character  and  all  other  circumstances  I  have 
little  doubt  that  the  final  decision  must  be  against 
him. 

My  daughter  is  well  and  thanks  you  for  your  kind 
enquiries.  I  hope  you  found  all  your  family  and 
friends  well.  I  am  with  great  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  humble  servant. 


TO  JAMES  CURRIE. 

Paris,  September  27,  1785. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  August  5th  came  to 
hand  on  the  18th  instant,  and  I  mark  well  what  you 
say,  "that  my  letters  shall  be  punctually  answered." 
This  is  encouraging,  and  the  more  so  as  it  proves  to 
you  that  in  sending  your  letters  in  time  to  arrive  at 
New  York  the  middle  of  the  month,  when  the  French 
packet  sails,  they  get  to  hand  very  speedily.  The 
last  was  but  six  weeks  from  you  to  me.  I  thank  you 
again  and  again  for  the  details  it  contains,  these 
being  precisely  of  the  nature  I  would  wish.  Of  politi- 
cal correspondents  I  can  find  enough,  but  I  can  per- 


i2  Jefferson's  Works 


suade  nobody  to  believe  that  the  small  facts  which 
they  see  passing  daily  under  their  eyes  are  precious 
to  me  at  this  distance ;  much  more  interesting  to  the 
heart  than  events  of  higher  rank.  Fancy  to  yourself 
a  being  who  is  withdrawn  from  his  connections  of 
blood,  of  marriage,  of  friendship,  of  acquaintance  in 
all  their  gradations,  who  for  years  should  hear  nothing 
of  what  has  passed  among  them,  who  returns  again 
to  see  them  and  finds  the  one-half  dead.  This  strikes 
him  like  a  pestilence  sweeping  off  the  half  of  man- 
kind. Events  which  had  they  come  to  him  one  by 
one  and  in  detail  he  would  have  weathered  as  other 
people  do,  when  presented  to  his  mind  all  at  once 
are  overwhelming.  Continue  then  to  give  me  facts, 
little  facts,  such  as  you  think  every  one  imagines 
beneath  notice,  and  your  letters  will  be  the  most 
precious  to  me.  They  will  place  me  in  imagination 
in  my  own  country,  and  they  will  place  me  where  I 
am  happiest.  But  what  shall  I  give  you  in  return? 
Political  events  are  scarcely  interesting  to  a  man 
who  looks  on  them  from  high  ground.  There  is 
always  war  in  one  place,  revolution  in  another,  pesti- 
lence in  a  third,  interspersed  with  spots  of  quiet. 
These  chequers  shift  places  but  they  do  not  vanish, 
so  that  to  an  eye  which  extends  itself  over  the  whole 
earth  there  is  always  uniformity  of  prospect. 

For  the  moment  Europe  is  clear  of  war.  The 
Emperor  and  Dutch  have  signed  articles.  These  are 
not  published;  but  it  is  believed  the  Emperor  gets 
ten  millions  of  florins,  the  navigation  of  the  Scheld 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *3 


to  Saptinghen,  and  two  forts,  so  that  your  conjecture 
is  verified  and  the  Dutch  actually  pay  the  piper.  The 
league  formed  in  the  Germanic  body  by  the  King  of 
Russia  is  likely  to  circumscribe  the  ambitious  views 
of  the  Emperor  on  that  side  and  there  seems  to  be 
no  issue  for  them  but  on  the  side  of  the  Turk.  Their 
demarkation  does  not  advance.  It  is  a  pity  the 
Emperor  would  not  confine  himself  to  internal  regu- 
lation. In  that  way  he  has  done  much  good.  One 
would  think  it  not  so  difficult  to  discover  that  the 
improvement  of  the  country  we  possess  is  the  surest 
means  of  increasing  our  wealth  and  power.  This, 
too,  promotes  the  happiness  of  mankind  while  the 
others  destroy  it  and  are  always  uncertain  of  their 
object.  England  seems  not  to  permit  our  friendship 
to  enter  into  her  political  calculations  as  an  article  of 
any  value.  Her  endeavor  is  not  how  to  recover  our 
affections  or  to  bind  us  to  her  by  alliance,  but  by 
what  new  experiments  she  may  keep  up  an  existence 
without  us;  thus  leaving  us  to  carry  our  full 
weight,  present  and  future,  into  the  scale  of  her 
enemy,  and  seeming  to  prefer  our  enmity  to  our 
neutrality. 

The  Barbary  corsairs  have  committed  depreda- 
tions on  us.  The  Emperor  of  Morocco  took  a  vessel 
last  winter  which  he  has  since  restored  with  the  crew 
and  cargo.  The  Algerines  took  two  vessels  in  July. 
These  are  the  only  captures  which  were  known  of 
at  Algiers  on  the  24th  of  August.  I  mention  this 
because  the  English  papers  would  make  the  world 


M  Jefferson's  Works 


believe  we  have  lost  an  infinite  number.  I  hope  soon 
to  be  able  to  inform  our  countrymen  that  these 
dangers  are  ceasea. 

There  is  little  here  to  communicate  in  the  arts  and 
sciences.  The  great  desideratum  which  was  to  render 
the  discovery  of  the  balloon  useful,  is  not  absolutely 
desperate.  There  are  two  artists  at  Javel,  about  four 
miles  from  here,  who  are  able  to  rise  and  fall  at  will 
without  expending  their  gas,  and  to  deflect  450  from 
the  course  of  the  wind.  The  investigations  of  air 
and  fire  which  have  latterly  so  much  occupied  the 
chemists,  have  not  presented  anything  very  interest- 
ing for  some  time  past. 

I  send  you  four  books,  Rolend,  Sigaud  de  la  Fond, 
Metherie,  and  Scheele,  which  will  put  you  in  posses- 
sion of  whatever  has  been  discovered  as  yet  on  that 
subject.  They  are  packed  in  a  trunk  directed  to  J. 
Madison  of  Orange,  which  will  be  carried  to  Rich- 
mond. They  are  in  French,  which  you  say  you  do 
not  understand  well.  You  lose  infinitely  by  this, 
as  you  may  be  assured  that  the  publications  in  that 
language  at  present  far  exceed  those  of  England  in 
science.  With  respect  to  the  Encyclopedie  it  is 
impossible  for  me  to  judge  whether  to  send  it  to  you 
or  not,  as  I  do  not  know  your  degree  of  knowledge 
in  the  language  nor  your  intentions  as  to  increasing 
it.  Of  this  you  must  decide  for  yourself  and  instruct 
me  accordingly. 

I  was  unlucky  as  to  the  partridges,  pheasants, 
hares  and  rabbits  which  I  had  ordered  to  Virginia. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts 


The  vessei  in  which  I  came  over  was  to  have  returned 
to  Virginia  and  to  Warwick.  I  knew  I  could  rely  on 
the  captain's  care.  A  fellow-passenger  undertook 
to  provide  them.  He  did  so,  but  the  destination  of 
the  vessel  was  changed  and  the  poor  colonists  all  died 
while  my  friend  was  looking  out  for  another  convey- 
ance. 

If  I  can  be  useful  to  your  circulating  library,  the 
members  may  be  assured  of  my  zealous  services.  All 
books  except  English,  Latin  and  Greek  are  bought 
here  for  about  two-thirds  of  what  they  cost  in  Eng- 
land. They  had  better  distribute  their  invoices 
accordingly.  I  must  trouble  you  to  present  assur- 
ances of  my  friendship  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Randolph  of 
Tuckahoe,  Mr.  Cary,  and  their  families.  My  attach- 
ment  to  them  is  sincere.  I  wish  I  could  render  them 
useful  to  them.  Tell  Mr.  Cary  I  shall  enjoy  a  very 
real  pleasure  whenever  he  shall  carry  his  intentions 
of  writing  me  into  execution  and  that  there  is  no  one 
who  more  fervently  wishes  him  well. 

Accept  yourself  assurances  of  the  esteem  with 
which  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  friend  and  servant. 


TO  REVEREND  JAMES  MADISON. 

FONTAINEBLEAU,   Oct.   28,    1 785. 

Dear  Sir, — Seven  o'clock,  and  retired  to  my  fire- 
side, I  have  determined  to  enter  into  conversation 
with  you.  This  is  a  village  of  about  15,000  inhab- 
itants when  the  court  is  not  here,  and  20,000  when 


Jefferson's  Works 


they  are,  occupying  a  valley  through  which  runs  a 
brook  and  on  each  side  of  it  a  ridge  of  small  moun- 
tains, most  of  which  are  naked  rock.  The  King  comes 
here,  in  the  fall  always,  to  hunt.  His  court  attend 
him,  as  do  also  the  foreign  diplomatic  corps ;  but  as 
this  is  not  indispensably  required  and  my  finances  do 
not  admit  the  expense  of  a  continued  residence  here, 
I  propose  to  come  occasionally  to  attend  the  King's 
levees,  returning  again  to  Paris,  distant  forty  miles. 
This  being  the  first  trip,  I  set  out  yesterday  morning 
to  take  a  view  of  the  place.  For  this  purpose  I 
shaped  my  course  towards  the  highest  of  the  moun- 
tains in  sight,  to  the  top  of  which  was  about  a  league 
As  soon  as  I  had  got  clear  of  the  town  I  fell  in  with 
a  poor  woman  walking  at  the  same  rate  with  myself 
and  going  the  same  course.  Wishing  to  know  the 
condition  of  the  laboring  poor  I  entered  into  conver  ■ 
sation  with  her,  which  I  began  by  enquiries  for  the 
path  which  would  lead  me  into  the  mountain:  and 
thence  proceeded  to  enquiries  into  her  vocation,  con- 
dition and  circumstances.  She  told  me  she  was  a  day 
laborer  at  8  sous  or  4d.  sterling  the  day:  that  she  had 
two  children  to  maintain,  and  to  pay  a  rent  of  30 
livres  for  her  house  (which  would  consume  the  hire 
of  7  5  days) ,  that  often  she  could  get  no  employment 
and  of  course  was  without  bread.  As  we  had  walked 
together  near  a  mile  and  she  had  so  far  served  me  as 
a  guide,  I  gave  her,  on  parting,  24  sous.  She  burst 
into  tears  of  a  gratitude  which  I  could  perceive  was 
unfeigned  because  she  was  unable  to  utter  a  word. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  J7 


She  had  probably  never  before  received  so  great  an 
aid.  This  little  attendrissement,  with  the  solitude  of 
my  walk,  led  me  into  a  train  of  reflections  on  that 
unequal  division  of  property  which  occasions  the 
numberless  instances  of  wretchedness  which  I  had 
observed  in  this  country  and  is  to  be  observed  all  over 
Europe. 

The  property  of  this  country  is  absolutely  con- 
centred in  a  very  few  hands,  having  revenues  of  from 
half  a  million  of  guineas  a  year  downwards.  These 
employ  the  flower  of  the  country  as  servants,  some 
of  them  having  as  many  as  200  domestics,  not  labor-  • 
ing.  They  employ  also  a  great  number  of  manufac- 
turers and  tradesmen,  and  lastly  the  class  of  laboring 
husbandmen.  But  after  all  there  comes  the  most 
numerous  of  all  classes,  that  is,  the  poor  who 
cannot  find  work.  I  asked  myself  what  could  be  the 
reason  so  many  should  be  permitted  to  beg  who  are 
willing  to  work,  in  a  country  where  there  is  a  very 
considerable  proportion  of  uncultivated  lands  ?  These 
lands  are  undisturbed  only  for  the  sake  of  game.  It 
should  seem  then  that  it  must  be  because  of  the  enor- 
mous wealth  of  the  proprietors  which  places  them 
above  attention  to  the  increase  of  their  revenues  by 
permitting  these  lands  to  be  labored.  I  am  con- 
scious that  an  equal  division  of  property  is  imprac- 
ticable, but  the  consequences  of  this  enormous 
inequality  producing  so  much  misery  to  the  bulk 
of  mankind,  legislators  cannot  invent  too  many 
devices  for  subdividing  property,  only  taking  care 

VOL.  XIX  2 


*8  Jefferson's  Works 


to  let  their  subdivisions  go  hand  in  hand  with  the 
natural  affections  of  the  human  mind.  The  descent 
of  property  of  every  kind  therefore  to  all  the  children, 
or  to  all  the  brothers  and  sisters,  or  other  relations  in 
equal  degree,  is  a  politic  measure  and  a  practicable 
one.  Another  means  of  silently  lessening  the  in- 
equality of  property  is  to  exempt  all  from  taxation 
below  a  certain  point,  and  to  tax  the  higher  portions 
or  property  in  geometrical  progression  as  they  rise. 
Whenever  there  are  in  any  country  uncultivated  lands 
and  unemployed  poor,  it  is  clear  that  the  laws  of 
property  have  been  so  far  extended  as  to  violate 
natural  right.  The  earth  is  given  as  a  common  stock 
for  man  to  labor  and  live  on.  If  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  industry  we  allow  it  to  be  appropriated,  we 
must  take  care  that  other  employment  be  provided 
to  those  excluded  from  the  appropriation.  If  we  do 
not,  the  fundamental  right  to  labor  the  earth  returns 
to  the  unemployed.  It  is  too  soon  yet  in  our  country 
to  say  that  every  man  who  cannot  find  employment, 
but  who  can  find  uncultivated  land,  shall  be  at  liberty 
to  cultivate  it,  paying  a  moderate  rent.  But  it  is 
not  too  soon  to  provide  by  every  possible  means  that 
as  few  as  possible  shall  be  without  a  little  portion  of 
land.  The  small  landholders  are  the  most  precious 
part  of  a  state. 

The  next  object  which  struck  my  attention  in  my 
walk  was  the  deer  with  which  the  wood  abounded. 
They  were  of  the  kind  called  "  Cerfs, "  and  not  exactly 
of  the  same  species  with  ours.    They  are  blackish 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *9 


indeed  under  the  belly,  and  not  white  as  ours,  and 
they  are  more  of  the  chestnut  red;  but  these  are 
such  small  differences  as  would  be  sure  to  happen 
in  two  races  from  the  same  stock  breeding  separately 
a  number  of  ages.  Their  hares  are  totally  different 
from  the  animals  we  call  by  that  name ;  but  their 
rabbit  is  almost  exactly  like  him.  The  only  differ- 
ence is  in  their  manners ;  the  land  on  which  I  walked 
for  some  time  being  absolutely  reduced  to  a  honey- 
comb by  their  burrowing.  I  think  there  is  no 
instance  of  ours  burrowing.  After  descending  the 
hill  again  I  saw  a  man  cutting  fern.  I  went  to  him 
under  pretence  of  asking  the  shortest  road  to  town, 
and  afterwards  asked  for  what  use  he  was  cutting 
fern.  He  told  me  that  this  part  of  the  country  fur- 
nished a  great  deal  of  fruit  to  Paris.  That  when 
packed  in  straw  it  acquired  an  ill  taste,  but  that  dry 
fern  preserved  it  perfectly  without  communicating 
any  taste  at  all. 

I  treasured  this  observation  for  the  preservation 
of  my  apples  on  my  return  to  my  own  country.  They 
have  no  apples  here  to  compare  with  our  Redtown 
pippin.  They  have  nothing  which  deserves  the 
name  of  a  peach ;  there  being  not  sun  enough  to  ripen 
the  plum-peach  and  the  best  of  their  soft  peaches 
being  like  our  autumn  peaches.  Their  cherries  and 
strawberries  are  fair,  but  I  think  lack  flavor.  Their 
plums  I  think  are  better;  so  also  their  gooseberries, 
and  the  pears  infinitely  beyond  anything  we  possess. 
They  have  nothing  better  than  our  sweet-water ;  but 


20  Jefferson's  Works 


they  have  a  succession  of  as  good  from  early  in  the 
summer  till  frost.  I  am  to-morrow  to  get  (to)  M. 
Malsherbes  (and  uncle  of  the  Chevalier  Luzerne's) 
about  seven  leagues  from  hence,  who  is  the  most 
curious  man  in  France  as  to  his  trees.  He  is  making 
for  me  a  collection  of  the  vines  from  which  the  Bur- 
gundy, Champagne,  Bordeaux,  Frontignac,  and 
other  of  the  most  valuable  wines  of  this  country  are 
made.  Another  gentleman  is  collecting  for  me  the 
best  eating  grapes,  including  what  we  call  the  raisin. 
I  propose  also  to  endeavor  to  colonize  their  hare, 
rabbit,  red  and  grey  partridge,  pheasants  of  different 
kinds,  and  some  other  birds.  But  I  find  that  I  am 
wandering  beyond  the  limits  of  my  walk  and  will 
therefore  bid  vou  adieu.    Yours  affectionately. 


TO  FRANCIS  EPPES. 

Paris,  December  n,  1785. 
Dear  Sir, — I  wrote  you  by  Mr.  Fitzhugh  Aug.  30 
and  to  Mrs.  Eppes  by  the  same  conveyance  Sept.  22 ; 
in  those  as  in  my  former  letters  I  had  troubled  you 
on  the  subject  of  sending  my  daughter  to  me.  To  the 
cautions  then  suggested  I  am  obliged  to  add  another, 
which  our  situation  with  respect  to  the  Barbary 
powers  calls  for.  You  have  doubtless  heard  loose 
stories  as  to  their  captures  on  us  without  being  able 
to  know  the  certainty.  The  truth  is  that  the  Empe- 
ror of  Morocco  took  one  vessel  from  us  the  last  winter, 
but  he  did  it  merely  to  induce  us  to  treat.    He  took 


Supplementary  Manuscripts 


care  of  the  crew,  vessel  and  cargo  and  delivered  the 
whole  up  for  us  to  the  Spanish  coast,  clothing  the 
crew  well.  There  is  nothing  further  to  be  feared  from 
him,  as  I  think  he  will  settle  matters  with  us  on  toler- 
able terms. 

But  the  Algerines  this  fall  took  two  vessels  from 
us  and  now  have  twenty-two  of  our  citizens  in 
slavery.  Their  dispositions  are  more  hostile  and 
they  very  possibly  will  demand  a  higher  tribute 
than  America  will  pay.  In  this  event  they  will 
commit  depredations  on  our  trade  next  summer. 
I  do  not  think  the  insurance  against  them  on  vessels 
coming  to  France  will  be  worth  one-half  per  cent, 
but  who  can  estimate  the  value  of  a  half  per  cent  on 
the  fate  of  a  child?  My  mind  revolts  at  the  possi- 
bility of  a  capture,  so  that  unless  you  hear  from 
myself — not  trusting  the  information  of  any  other 
person  on  earth — that  peace  is  made  with  the  Alge- 
rines, do  not  send  her  but  in  a  vessel  of  French  or 
English  property;  for  these  vessels  alone  are  safe 
from  prize  by  the  barbarians.  Mr.  Barclay,  our 
consul  here,  expects  to  go  to  Philadelphia  in  the 
spring  and  to  return  again  here.  He  offers  to  take 
charge  of  her.  She  would  be  then  in  the  best  hands 
possible  and  should  the  time  of  his  return  become 
well  ascertained  I  will  write  you  on  the  subject.  In 
the  meantime  it  need  not  prevent  your  embracing 
any  opportunity  which  occurs  of  a  sound  French  or 
English  ship,  neither  new  nor  old,  sailing  in  the 
months  of  April,  May,  June  or  July,  under  the  care 


22  Jefferson's  Works 


of  a  trusty  person.  You  see  how  much  trouble  I 
give  you  till  I  get  this  little  charge  out  of  your  hands. 

Europe  is  quiet.  The  treaty  between  the  Emperor 
and  Dutch  signed,  and  one  between  France  and  the 
Dutch,  very  fatal  to  England.  It  is  called  a  defen- 
sive treaty  only,  but  it  is  such  a  one  as  cannot  but 
give  to  France  the  aid  of  the  Dutch  in  case  of  war 
with  England.  Patsy  enjoys  a  perfect  state  of 
health;  mine  is  become  more  firm.  If  I  continue 
through  the  winter  as  well  as  I  am  now  I  shall  resume 
confidence  in  my  constitution.  Mr.  Short  is  at 
present  indisposed  with  the  jaundice.  We  all  pant 
for  America  as  will  every  American  who  comes  to 
Europe.  Present  us  affectionately  to  Mrs.  Eppes 
and  the  little  ones.  I  make  her  always  the  bearer 
of  my  kisses  to  dear  Poll.  Assure  Mrs.  and  Mr. 
Skipwith  also  of  our  love  and  believe  me  to  be,  with 
the  highest  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your  sincere  friend  and 
servant. 

P.  S.  I  saw  in  a  Virginia  paper  that  somebody 
gave  me  as  the  author  of  information  that  we  had 
nothing  to  fear  from  the  Algerines.  No  such  infor- 
mation ever  went  from  me.  The  writer  probably 
had  not  distinguished  between  the  pirates  of  Algiers 
and  Morocco.  Of  the  peaceful  disposition  of  the 
latter  I  have  written,  but  never  of  the  former. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  23 


TO  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

Paris,  January  4,  1786. 

Sir, — I  have  been  honored  with  your  letter  of 
September  26,  which  was  delivered  me  by  Mr.  Hou- 
don,  who  is  safely  returned.  He  has  brought  with 
him  a  mould  of  the  face  only,  having  left  the  other 
parts  of  his  work  with  his  workmen  to  come  by  some 
other  conveyance.  Doctor  Franklin,  who  was  joined 
with  me  in  the  superintendence  of  this  just  monu- 
ment, having  left  us  before  what  is  called  the  costume 
of  the  statue  was  decided  on,  I  cannot  so  well  satisfy 
myself  as  I  am  persuaded  I  should  not  so  well  satisfy 
the  world  as  by  consulting  your  own  wish  or  inclina- 
tion as  to  this  arrangement.  Permit  me,  therefore, 
to  ask  you  whether  there  is  any  particular  dress  or 
any  particular  attitude  which  you  would  rather  wish 
to  be  adopted?  I  shall  take  a  singular  pleasure  in 
having  your  own  idea  executed  if  you  will  be  so  good 
as  to  make  it  known  to  me. 

I  thank  you  for  the  trouble  you  have  taken  in 
answering  my  inquiries  on  the  subject  of  Bushnel's 
machine.  Colonel  Humphreys  could  only  give  me 
a  general  idea  of  it  from  the  effects  produced  rather 
than  the  means  contrived  to  produce  them. 

I  sincerely  rejoice  that  three  such  works  as  the 
opening  the  Potomac,  the  James  river,  Virginia  canal 
from  the  Dismal,  are  like  to  be  carried  through. 
There  is  still  a  fourth,  however,  which  I  had  the 
honor,  I  believe,  of  mentioning  to  you  in  a  letter  of 


24  Jefferson's  Works 


March  15,  1784,  from  Annapolis.  It  is  the  cutting  a 
canal  which  shall  unite  the  heads  of  Cayahoga  and 
the  Beaver  creek.  The  utility  of  this  and  even  the 
necessity  of  it,  if  we  mean  to  aim  at  the  trade  of  the 
lakes,  will  be  palpable  to  you.  The  only  question  is 
its  practicability.  The  best  information  I  could  get 
as  to  this  was  from  General  Hand,  who  described  the 
country  as  champaign  and  these  waters  as  heading 
in  lagoons  which  would  be  easily  united.  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania  are  both  interested  to  concur  with 
us  in  this  work. 

The  institutions  you  propose  to  establish  by  the 
shore  in  the  Potomac  and  James  river  companies, 
given  you  by  the  assembly,  and  the  particular  objects 
of  these  institutions  are  most  worthy.  It  occurs  to 
me,  however,  that  if  the  bill  for  the  more  general 
diffusion  of  knowledge  which  is  in  the  revisal  should 
be  passed,  it  would  supersede  the  use  and  obscure 
the  existence  of  the  charity  schools  you  have  thought 
of.  I  suppose  in  fact  that  that  bill,  or  some  other 
like  it,  will  be  passed.  I  never  saw  one  received  with 
more  enthusiasm  than  that  was  by  the  House  of 
Delegates  in  the  year  1778  and  ordered  to  be  printed 
and  it  seemed  afterwards  that  nothing  but  the 
extreme  distress  of  our  resources  prevented  it  being 
carried  into  execution  even  during  the  war.  It  is  an 
axiom  in  my  mind  that  our  liberty  can  never  be  safe 
but  in  the  hands  of  the  people  themselves,  and  that, 
too,  of  the  people  with  a  certain  degree  of  instruction. 
This  it  is  the  business  of  the  state  to  effect,  and  on  a 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  25 


general  plan.  Should  you  see  a  probability  of  this, 
however,  you  can  never  be  at  a  loss  for  worthy  objects 
of  this  donation.  Even  the  remitting  that  propor- 
tion of  the  toll  on  all  articles  transported  would 
present  itself  under  many  favorable  considerations, 
and  it  would  in  effect  be  to  make  the  state  do,  in  a 
certain  proportion,  what  they  ought  to  have  done 
wholly;  for  I  think^they  should  clear  all  the  rivers 
and  lay  them  open  and  free  to  all.  However,  you 
are  infinitely  the  best  judge  how  the  most  good  may 
be  effected  with  these  shares. 

All  is  quiet  here.  There  are,  indeed,  two  specks 
in  the  horizon,  the  exchange  of  Bavaria  and  the 
demarcation  between  the  Emperor  and  Turks.  We 
may  add  as  a  third  the  interference  by  the  King  of 
Prussia  in  the  domestic  disputes  of  the  Dutch.  Great 
Britain,  it  is  said,  begins  to  look  towards  us  with  a 
little  more  good  humor.  But  how  true  this  may 
be  I  cannot  say  with  certainty.  We  are  trying  to 
render  her  commerce  as  little  necessary  to  us  as  pos- 
sible by  finding  other  markets  for  our  produce.  A 
most  favorable  reduction  of  duties  on  whale  oil  has 
taken  place  here,  which  will  give  us  a  vent  for  that 
article,  paying  a  duty  of  a  guinea  and  a  half  a  tun 
only. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  highest  esteem  and 
respect,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  hum- 
ble servant. 


Jefferson's  Works 


TO  WILLIAM  CARMICHAEL. 

Paris,  January  13,  1786. 

Dear  Sir, — I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  on  the 
1  st  instant  your  favor  of  Dec.  17.  I  had  before  that, 
in  a  letter  of  Dec.  8,  explained  to  you  the  cause  of 
the  bill  not  being  paid  which  appeared  here  in  your 
name,  so  far  as  I  had  been  obliged  to  meddle  in  it. 
My  letter  to  Mr.  Grand  which  I  inclosed  to  you  will 
have  shown  you  that  I  advised  him  to  follow  what 
had  been  his  practice  as  to  your  bills.  I  do  assure 
you,  Sir,  most  solemnly  that  as  to  myself  no  question 
ever  arose  in  my  mind  but  whether  the  bill  was 
genuine  or  not;  and  that  had  that  been  ascertained 
I  should  never  have  presumed  to  doubt  the  propriety 
of  the  draught.  Of  that  you  alone  are  the  judge  in 
my  opinion  and  accountable  to  nobody  but  Congress , 
but  least  of  all  to  me  who  have  nothing  to  do  with  the 
application  of  the  moneys  here  and  am  only  forced 
into  the  temporary  interference  by  Mr.  Grand's 
refusal  to  pay  anything  but  on  my  order.  I  have 
sent  representations  on  this  subject  to  the  board  of 
the  treasury,  and  shall  expect  ere  long  to  communi- 
cate their  orders  to  Mr.  Grand  for  exercising  this 
office  himself  according  to  the  rules  they  shall  lay 
down  for  his  government. 

The  mention  made  in  your  letter  of  some  articles 
of  expense  occasions  me  to  observe  to  you  that  post- 
age and  couriers  are  allowed  to  be  charged  by  an 
express  resolution  of  Congress.    That  etrennes  and 


Supplementary  Manuscripts         2  7 


house-rent  have  likewise  been  charged  by  the  minis- 
ters and  allowed  in  the  settlement  of  their  accounts. 
I  conceive  that  illuminations  and  gala  may  with  some 
propriety  be  charged.  I  think  it  is  the  universal 
custom  to  allow  all  ministers  charges  of  these  descrip- 
tions. I  think  Dr.  Franklin  told  me  he  had  made 
diligent  enquiry  here  of  the  diplomatic  corps  and  had 
only  charged  those  things  which  were  sanctioned  by 
general  usage  in  the  diplomatic  accounts.  I  take  the 
liberty  of  mentioning  these  things  to  you  that  the 
want  of  information  may  not  occasion  you  to  place 
yourself  on  a  worse  footing  than  that  on  which  you 
have  just  title  to  stand.  At  the  same  time  I  will  pray 
you  to  make  use  of  the  information  only  for  the  erect- 
ing of  your  accounts,  as  I  should  be  unwilling  to  be 
named  as  the  author  of  an  advice  in  which  I  might 
seem  to  be  interested.  I  omitted  to  observe  on  the 
subject  of  your  bill  of  exchange  that  I  have  not  had 
an  opportunity  of  recurring  to  the  letters  written  by 
yourself  and  Mr.  Grand  to  which  you  refer  me.  We 
have  been  in  expectation  of  receiving  a  renewal  of 
the  bill  and  that  you  would  be  so  good  as  to  accom- 
pany it  with  a  letter  of  advice,  a  precaution  which 
the  innumerable  forgeries  of  this  city  are  thought  to 
render  necessary  even  in  private  cases. 

I  suppose  you  will  have  heard  that  Dr.  Franklin 
is  appointed  President  of  Pennsylvania  and  has" 
accepted  the  office.  Houdon  went  over  on  account 
of  the  State  of  Virginia  to  take  the  moulds  of  General 
Washington  in  order  to  make  his  statue.    He  is 


28  Jefferson's  Works 


returned.  He  tells  me  that  he  heard  of  the  safe 
arrival  of  the  ass  which  the  King  of  Spain  had  been 
so  generous  as  to  send  to  the  General.  He  could  not 
tell  me  where  he  was  arrived.  A  letter  from  General 
Washington  of  Nov.  2  informs  me  that  of  £50,000 
sterling  necessary  for  opening  the  Potomac,  £44,000 
was  actually  made  up  and  no  fear  of  procuring  the 
balance  so  that  the  work  is  begun.  The  whole  money 
for  opening  James  river  is  made  up.  This  is  the  only 
American  news  I  have  worth  communicating. 

This  government  has  lately  reduced  the  duties  on 
American  whale  oil  to  a  guinea  and  a  half  a  tun  which 
will  draw  that  commerce  from  London  wholly  to  this 
country.  Mr.  Adams  having  made  complaint  to  the 
court  of  London  of  the  ill  behavior  of  Captain  Stan- 
hope I  am  informed  though  not  from  him  that  they 
disavow  his  conduct  and  have  severely  reprimanded 
him  and  given  this  official  information  to  Mr.  Adams. 
He  also  required  a  re-delivery  of  our  prisoners  sent 
to  the  East  Indies.  They  have  informed  him  that 
they  have  given  orders  for  their  being  brought  back. 
Mr.  Barclay  will  have  the  honor  of  delivering  you  this 
and  of  supplying  any  intelligence  I  may  omit.  I  am 
sure  you  will  give  him  all  the  aid  in  your  power  as 
to  his  object.  Accept  from  me  assurances  of  the 
sincere  esteem  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to 
be,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  29 


TO  JAMES  MADISON. 

London,  April  25,  1786. 

Dear  Sir, — Some  of  the  objects  of  the  joint  com- 
mission with  which  we  were  honored  by  Congress 
called  me  to  this  place  about  six  weeks  ago.  To- 
morrow I  set  out  on  my  return  to  Paris.  With  this 
nation  nothing  is  done  and  it  is  now  decided  that 
they  intend  to  do  nothing  with  us.  The  King  is 
against  a  change  of  measures,  his  ministers  are 
against  it,  some  from  principle,  others  from  attach- 
ment to  their  places,  and  the  merchants  and  people 
are  against  it.  They  sufficiently  value  our  com- 
merce, but  they  are  quite  persuaded  they  shall  enjoy 
it  on  their  own  terms.  This  political  speculation 
fosters  the  warmest  feeling  in  the  King's  heart,  that 
is  his  hatred  to  us.  If  ever  he  should  be  forced  to 
make  any  terms  with  us  it  will  be  by  events  which 
he  does  not  foresee.  He  takes  no  pains  at  present 
to  hide  his  aversion.  Our  commission  expiring  in  a 
fortnight  there  is  an  end  of  all  further  attempts  on  our 
part  to  arrange  matters  between  the  two  countries. 
The  treaty  of  peace  being  yet  unexecuted  it  remains 
that  each  party  conduct  themselves  as  the  combined 
considerations  of  justice  and  of  caution  require. 

We  have  had  conversations  on  the  subject  of 
our  debts  with  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of 
American  merchants  here.  He  was  anxious  for 
arrangements.  He  was  sensible  that  it  was  for  the 
interest  of  the  creditors  as  well  as  debtors  to  allow 


30 


Jefferson's  Works 


time  for  the  payment  of  the  debts  due  to  this  country 
and  did  not  seem  to  think  the  time  taken  by  Virginia 
was  more  than  enough.  But  we  could  not  help 
agreeing  with  him  that  the  courts  should  be  open 
to  them  immediately,  judgments  recoverable,  the 
executions  to  be  divided  into  so  many  equal  and 
annual  parts  as  will  admit  the  whole  to  be  paid  by 
the  year  1790  and  that  the  payments  should  be  in 
money  and  not  in  anything  else.  If  our  law  is  not 
already  on  this  footing  I  wish  extremely  it  were  put 
on  it. 

When  we  proceeded  to  discuss  the  sum  which 
should  be  paid  we  concurred  in  thinking  that  the 
principal  and  interest  preceding  and  subsequent  to 
the  war  should  be  paid.  As  to  interest  during  the 
war  the  chairman  thought  it  justly  demandable ;  we 
thought  otherwise.  I  need  not  recapitulate  to  you 
the  topics  of  arguments  on  each  side.  He  said  the 
renunciation  of  this  interest  was  a  bitter  pill  which 
they  could  not  swallow.  Perhaps  he  would  have 
agreed  to  say  nothing  about  it,  not  expecting  to 
receive  it  in  most  cases,  yet  willing  to  take  the  chance 
of  it  where  debtors  or  juries  should  happen  to  be 
favorably  disposed.  We  should  have  insisted  on 
an  express  declaration  that  this  interest  should  not 
be  demandable.  These  conferences  were  intended 
as  preparatory  to  authoritative  propositions,  but  the 
minister  not  condescending  to  meet  us  at  all  on  the 
subject  they  ended  in  nothing.  I  think  the  mer- 
chants here  do  not  expect  to  recover  interest  during 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  31 


the  war  in  general  though  they  are  of  opinion  they 
are  entitled  to  it. 

I  wrote  you  in  a  former  letter  on  the  subject  of  a 
Mr.  Paradise  who  owns  an  estate  in  Virginia  in  right 
of  his  wife  and  who  has  a  considerable  sum  due  him 
in  our  loan  office.  Since  I  came  here  I  have  had 
opportunity  of  knowing  his  extreme  personal  worth 
and  his  losses  by  the  late  war.  He  is  from  principle 
a  pure  republican  while  his  father  was  as  warm  a  tory. 
His  attachment  to  the  American  cause  and  his  candid 
warmth  brought  him  sometimes  into  altercations  on 
the  subject  with  his  father,  and  some  persons  inter- 
ested in  their  variance  artfully  brought  up  this  sub- 
ject of  conversation  whenever  they  met.  It  pro- 
duced a  neglect  in  the  father.  He  had  already  settled 
on  him  a  sum  of  money  in  the  funds,  but  would  do  no 
more  and  probably  would  have  undone  that  if  he 
could.  When  remittances  from  Virginia  were  for- 
bidden the  profits  of  the  Virginia  estate  were  carried 
into  our  loan  office.  Paradise  was  then  obliged  to 
begin  to  eat  his  capital  in  England;  from  that  to 
part  with  conveniences  and  to  run  in  debt. 

His  situation  is  now  distressing  and  would  be  com- 
pletely relieved  could  he  receive  what  is  due  him  from 
our  state.  He  is  coming  over  to  settle  there.  His 
wife  and  family  will  follow  him.  I  never  ask  unjust 
preferences  for  anybody ;  but  if  by  any  just  means  he 
can  be  helped  to  his  money,  I  own  I  would  be  much 
gratified.  The  goodness  of  his  heart,  his  kindness 
to  Americans  before,  during  and  since  the  war,  the 


Jefferson's  Works 


purity  of  his  political  and  moral  character,  interest 
me  in  the  events  pending  over  him  and  which  will 
infallibly  be  ruinous  if  he  fails  to  receive  his  money. 
I  ask  of  you  on  his  behalf  that  in  pursuing  the  path 
of  right  you  will  become  active  for  him  instead  of 
being  merely  quiescent  were  his  merit  and  his  mis- 
fortunes unknown  to  you. 

I  have  put  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Fulwar  Skipwith 
for  you  a  packet  containing  some  catalogues  which 
he  will  forward.  I  am  with  sincere  esteem,  dear  Sir, 
your  friend  and  servant. 


TO  PHILIP  MAZZEI. 

Marseilles,  April  4,  1787. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  finding  your 
friend  Soria  alive,  and  one  of  the  most  considerable 
merchants  here.  I  delivered  him  your  letter  and  he 
has  shown  me  all  the  attentions  which  the  state  of 
his  mind  would  permit.  A  few  days  before  my 
arrival  his  only  son  had  eloped  with  jewels  and 
money  to  the  value  of  40,000  livres  and  I  believe 
is  not  yet  heard  of.  He  speaks  of  you  with  friend- 
ship and  will  be  happy  to  see  you  on  your  way  south- 
wardly. He  has  promised  to  make  me  acquainted 
with  a  well-informed  gardener  whom  I  expect  to  find 
among  the  most  precious  of  my  acquaintances.  From 
men  of  that  class  I  have  derived  the  most  satisfactory 
information  in  the  course  of  my  journey  and  have 
sought  their  acquaintance  with  as  much  industry  as 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  33 


I  have  avoided  that  of  others  who  would  have  made 
me  waste  my  time  [illegible]  good  society.  For  these 
objects  one  need  not  leave  Paris.  I  find  here  several 
interesting  articles  of  culture;  the  best  [illegible] 
the  best  grapes  for  drying,  a  smaller  [illegible]  the 
same  purposes  without  a  seed,  from  Smyrna,  olives, 
capers,  pistachio  nuts,  almonds.  All  these  articles 
may  succeed  on  or  southward  of  the  Chesapeake. 
From  hence  my  inclination  would  lead  me  no  further 
[illegible]  as  I  am  to  see  little  more  than  a  rocky 
coast.  But  I  am  [illegible]  here  with  the  hopes  of 
finding  something  useful  in  the  rice-fields  of  Pied- 
mont, which  are  said  to  be  but  a  little  way  beyond 
the  Alps.  It  will  probably  be  the  middle  of  June 
before  I  get  back  to  Paris.  In  the  meantime  I  wish 
to  observe  that  if  this  absence,  longer  than  you  had 
calculated,  should  render  an  earlier  pecuniary  supply 
necessary,  lodge  a  line  for  me  at  Aix  poste  restant 
where  I  shall  find  it  about  the  last  of  this  month  and 
I  shall  with  great  pleasure  do  what  may  be  needful 
for  you. 

Be  so  good  as  to  present  my  respects  to  the  Maison 
de  la  Rochefoucault  and  accept  yourself  my  sincere 
assurances  of  esteem  and  regard  from,  dear  Sir,  your 
affectionate  friend  and  humble  servant. 


YOL.  XIX — 3 


34 


Jefferson's  Works 


to  l'abbe  d'arnal. 

Paris,  July  9,  1787. 
Dear  Sir, — I  had  the  honor  of  informing  you  when 
at  Nismes  that  we  had  adopted  in  America  a  method 
of  hanging  the  upper  stone  of  a  grist  mill  which  had 
been  found  so  much  more  convenient  than  the 
ancient  as  to  have  brought  it  into  general  use. 
Whether  we  derive  the  invention  from  Europe  or 
have  made  it  ourselves  I  am  unable  to  say.  The 
difference  consists  only  in  the  spindle  and  horns. 
On  the  former  plan  the  horns  were  of  a  single  piece 
of  iron  in  the  form  of  a  cross  with  a  square  hole  in 
the  middle,  which  square  hole  fitted  on  the  upper  end 
of  the  spindle.  The  horns  were  then  fixed  in  cross 
grooves  in  the  bottom  of  the  upper  stone  which  was 
to  be  laid  on  the  spindle  so  as  that  the  place  of  its 
grinding  surface  would  be  perfectly  perpendicular 
to  the  spindles.  This  was  a  difficult  and  tedious 
operation  and  was  to  be  repeated  every  time  the 
stones  were  dressed.  According  to  our  method  two 
distinct  pieces  of  iron  are  substituted  for  the  horns. 


The  one  in  this  form 


of  such  breadth 


and  thickness  as  to  support  the  whole  weight  of  the 
stone.  Its  straight  ends  are  to  be  firmly  fixed  in  one 
of  the  cross  grooves  of  the  stone,  the  circular  part 
should  rise  through  the  hole  in  the  center  of  the 
stone  so  as  to  be  near  its  upper  surface ;  in  the  middle 
of  this  semicircular  part  and  on  the  under  surface — 


Supplementary  Manuscripts 


35 


at  "V — should  be  a  dimple  to  which  the  upper  end  of 
the  spindle  should  be  adjusted  by  giving  it  a  convexity 
fitted  to  the  concavity  of  the  dimple.  The  other  piece 
of  iron  is  only  a  straight  bar  to  be  firmly  fixed  in 
the  other  of  the  cross  grooves  of  the  stone  and  to 


have  a  square  hole  in  its  center,  thus :  t-  


the  corresponding  part  of  the  spindle  must  be  squared 
to  fit  this  hole.  The  office  of  the  first  piece  of  iron 
is  to  suspend  the  stone,  that  of  the  last  is  to  give  and 
continue  its  motion.  The  stones  being  dressed  and 
these  pieces  firmly  fixed  in  it,  it  is  turned  over  on 
the  spindle  so  that  the  point  of  the  spindle  may  enter 
the  dimple  of  the  semicircular  iron,  and  the  stone 
be  suspended  on  it  freely.  It  will  probably  not  take 
at  first  its  true  position,  which  is  that  of  the  plane  of 
its  grinding  surface  being  truly  perpendicular  to  the 
spindle. 

The  workman  must,  therefore,  chip  it  at  the  top 
with  a  chisel  till  it  hangs  in  that  just  position.  This 
being  once  done  it  is  done  forever ;  for  whenever  they 
dress  the  stone  afterwards  they  have  only  to  return 
the  upper  one  to  its  point  and  it  will  resume  its 
equilibrium.  It  sometimes  happens  that  one  side 
of  the  stone  being  softer  than  the  other  wears  faster 
and  so  the  equilibrium  is  lost  in  time.  Experience 
has  shown  that  a  small  departure  from  the  equili- 
brium will  be  rectified  by  the  bed  stone  which  serves 
as  a  guide  to  the  running  stone  till  it  assumes  its 
motion  in  a  true  plane  which  it  will  afterwards  keep. 


36  Jefferson's  Works 


But  should  a  defect  of  the  stone  render  this  departure 
from  the  equilibrium  too  considerable  it  may  be 
necessary  to  set  it  to  rights  at  certain  periods  by 
chipping  it  again  on  the  top.  I  had  promised,  when 
I  had  the  honor  of  seeing  you  at  Nismes,  to  send  you 
a  model  of  this  manner  of  fixing  the  mill-stones,  but 
the  expense  of  sending  a  model  by  post,  the  danger 
of  its  being  lost  or  destroyed  by  the  messagerie,  and 
the  hope  that  I  could  render  it  intelligible  by  a 
description  and  figures,  have  induced  me  to  prefer 
the  latter  method.  I  shall  with  great  pleasure  give 
any  further  explanations  which  may  be  necessary  for 
your  perfect  comprehension  of  it,  and  the  more  so 
as  it  will  furnish  me  with  new  occasions  of  assuring 
you  of  those  sentiments  of  respect  and  esteem  with 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  your  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  JOHN  ADAMS. 

Paris,  July  23,  1787. 

Dear  Sir, — Frouille,  the  bookseller  here  who  is 
engaged  in  having  your  book  translated  and  printed, 
understanding  that  you  are  about  publishing  a  sequel 
to  it,  has  engaged  me  to  be  the  channel  of  his  prayers 
to  you  to  favor  his  operation  by  transmitting  hither 
the  sheets  of  the  sequel  as  they  shall  be  printed ;  and 
he  will  have  them  translated  by  the  same  hand, 
which  is  a  good  one. 

It  is  necessary  for  one  to  explain  the  passage  in 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  37 


Mr.  Barclay's  letter  of  July  13  of  which  he  writes  me 
he  had  sent  you  a  duplicate  wherein  he  mentions  that 
I  had  given  him  a  full  dispensation  from  waiting  on 
you  in  London.  Mr.  Barclay  was  arrested  in  Bor- 
deaux for  debt  and  put  into  prison.  The  Parliament 
released  him  after  five  days  on  the  footing  of  his 
being  consul  and  minister  from  the  United  States  to 
Morocco.  His  adversaries  applied  here  to  deprive 
him  of  his  privilege.  I  spoke  on  the  subject  to  the 
minister.  He  told  me  that  the  character  of  consul 
was  no  protection  at  all  from  private  arrest,  but  that 
he  would  try  to  avail  him  of  the  other  character.  I 
found,  however,  that  the  event  might  be  doubtful 
and  stated  the  whole  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Barclay, 
observing  at  the  same  time  that  I  knew  of  nothing 
which  rendered  it  necessary  for  him  to  come  to  Paris 
before  his  departure  for  America.  He  determined, 
therefore,  to  go  to  America  immediately,  which 
indeed  was  his  wisest  course  as  he  would  have  been 
harassed  immediately  by  his  creditors. 

Our  funds  here  have  been  out  some  time  and  Mr. 
Grand  is  at  the  length  of  his  tether  in  advancing  for 
us.  He  has  refused  very  small  demands  for  current 
occasions  and  I  am  not  clear  he  will  not  refuse  my 
usual  one  for  salary.  He  has  not  told  me  so,  but  I 
am  a  little  diffident  of  it.  I  shall  know  in  a  few  days 
whether  he  does  or  not.  I  cannot  approve  of  his 
protesting  small  and  current  calls.  Having  had 
nothing  to  do  with  any  other  banker  I  cannot  say 
what  their  practice  is,  but  I  suppose  it  their  practice 


38  Jefferson's  Works 


to  advance  for  their  customers  when  their  funds 
happen  to  be  out  in  proportion  to  the  sums  which 
they  pass  through  their  hands.  Mr.  Grand  is  a  very 
sure  banker,  but  a  very  timid  one,  and  I  fear  he  thinks 
it  possible  that  he  may  lose  his  advances  for  the 
United  States.  Should  he  reject  my  draught,  would 
there  be  any  prospect  of  its  being  answered  in  Hol- 
land? Merely  for  my  own  and  Mr.  Short's  salaries, 
say  4,500  livres  a  month?  You  will  have  heard  that 
the  Emperor  has  put  troops  into  march  on  account 
of  the  disturbances  in  Brabant.  The  situation  of 
affairs  in  Holland  you  know  better  than  I  do.  How 
will  they  end?  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  senti- 
ments of  the  most  profound  esteem  and  respect,  dear 
Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN. 

Paris,  August  6,  1787. 
Dear  Sir, — This  will  be  handed  you  by  Doctor 
Gibbons,  a  young  gentleman  who  after  studying 
physic  and  taking  his  degrees  at  Edinburgh  has 
passed  some  time  here.  He  has  desired  the  honor 
of  being  known  to  you,  and  I  find  a  pleasure  in  being 
the  instrument  of  making  him  so.  It  is  a  tax  to 
which  your  celebrity  submits  you.  Every  man  of 
the  present  age  will  wish  to  have  the  honor  of  having 
known,  and  being  known  to  you.  You  will  find 
Doctor  Gibbons  to  possess  learning,  genius  and  merit. 
As  such  I  ask  leave  to  present  him  to  you,  and  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  39 


assuring  you  at  the  same  time  of  the  sentiments  of 
profound  respect  and  esteem,  with  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and 
most  humble  servant. 


TO  JOHN  ADAMS. 

Paris,  December  31,  1787. 
Dear  Sir, — Mr.  Parker  furnishes  me  an  oppor- 
tunity of  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of 
November  10,  December  6,  10,  18,  and  25,  which  I 
avoid  doing  through  post.  The  orders  on  the  sub- 
ject of  our  captives  at  Algiers  have  come  to  me  by 
the  last  packet.  They  are  to  be  kept  secret  even 
from  the  captives  themselves  lest  a  knowledge  of 
the  interference  of  government  should  excite  to 
extravagant  demands.  The  settlement  of  the  prices 
in  the  first  instance  is  important  as  a  precedent. 
Willincks  and  Van  Staphorsts  answered  that  they 
had  money  enough  to  pay  the  February  interest  and 
our  draughts  for  salary  for  some  time,  but  that  the 
payment  of  Fiseaux's  capital  would  oblige  them  to 
advance  of  their  own  money.  They  observed,  too, 
that  the  payment  of  such  a  sum  without  the  orders 
of  the  treasury  would  lay  them  under  an  unnecessary 
responsibility.  I  therefore  concluded  the  business 
by  desiring  them  to  pay  the  year's  interest  becoming 
due  to-morrow  and  paying  Mr.  Fiseaux  to  quiet  the 
lenders  with  that  till  I  could  procure  the  orders  of 
the  treasury  to  whom  I  wrote  immediately  an  account 


40  Jefferson's  Works 


of  the  whole  transaction.  I  was  the  better  satisfied 
with  this  on  receiving  your  letter  of  the  2  5th  by  which 
I  find  it  your  opinion  that  our  credit  may  not  suffer 
so  materially.  The  declining  the  payment  came 
from  the  Willincks,  the  Van  Staphorsts  having 
offered  to  advance  their  money.  I  enclose  you  a 
letter  I  have  received  from  the  Comptroller  General 
and  an  asset  on  the  subject  of  our  commerce.  They 
are  the  proof  sheets,  as,  at  the  moment  of  my  writing 
my  letter  I  have  not  yet  received  the  fair  ones,  but 
the  French  columns  are  correct  enough  to  be  under- 
stood. I  would  wish  them  not  to  be  public  till  they 
are  made  so  on  the  other  side  of  the  water.  I  think 
the  alliance  of  this  court  with  the  two  imperial  ones 
is  going  on  well.  You  will  have  heard  of  the  Em- 
peror's having  attempted  to  surprise  Belgrade  and 
failed  in  the  attempt.  This  necessarily  engaged  him 
in  the  war  and  so  tends  to  continue  it.  I  think  it 
settled  that  this  court  abandons  the  Turks. 

Mr.  Parker  takes  charge  of  the  ten  ounces  of  double 
Florence  for  Mrs.  Adams,  the  silk  stockings  are  not 
yet  ready.  I  had  ordered  them  to  be  made  by  the 
hermits  of  Mont  Calvaire  who  are  famous  for  the 
excellence  and  honesty  of  their  work  -and  prices. 
They  will  come  by  the  first  good  opportunity.  Be 
so  good  as  to  present  my  respects  to  her  and  to  be 
assured  of  the  sincere  attachment  and  respect  of, 
dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  41 


TO  EDWARD  BANCROFT. 

Paris,  January  26,  1788. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have  deferred  answering  your  letter 
on  the  subject  of  slaves  because  you  permitted  me 
to  do  it  till  a  moment  of  leisure,  and  that  moment 
rarely  comes,  and  because,  too,  I  could  not  answer 
you  with  such  a  degree  of  certainty  as  to  merit 
any  notice.  I  do  not  recollect  the  conversation 
at  Vincennes  to  which  you  allude,  but  can  repeat 
still  on  the  same  ground  on  which  I  must  have  done 
then  that  as  far  as  I  can  judge  from  the  experiments 
which  have  been  made  to  give  liberty  to,  or  rather 
abandon,  persons  whose  habits  have  been  formed  in 
slavery  is  like  abandoning  children.  Many  Quakers 
in  Virginia  seated  their  slaves  on  their  lands  as  ten- 
ants; they  were  distant  from  me,  and  therefore  I 
cannot  be  particular  in  the  details  because  I  never 
had  very  particular  information.  I  cannot  say 
whether  they  were  to  pay  a  rent  in  money  or  a  share 
of  the  produce,  but  I  remember  that  the  landlord  was 
obliged  to  plan  their  crops  for  them,  to  direct  all  their 
operations  during  every  season  and  according  to  the 
weather ;  but  what  is  more  afflicting,  he  was  obliged 
to  watch  them  daily  and  almost  constantly  to  make 
them  work  and  even  to  whip  them.  A  man's  moral 
sense  must  be  unusually  strong  if  slavery  does  not 
make  him  a  thief.  He  who  is  permitted  by  law  to 
have  no  property  of  his  own  can  with  difficulty  con- 
ceive that  property  is  founded  in  anything  but  force. 


42  Jefferson's  Works 


These  slaves  chose  to  steal  from  their  neighbors 
rather  than  work ;  they  became  public  nuisances  and 
in  most  instances  were  reduced  to  slavery  again. 
But  I  will  beg  of  you  to  make  no  use  of  this  imperfect 
information  (unless  in  common  conversation).  I 
shall  go  to  America  in  the  spring  and  return  in  the 
fall.  During  my  stay  in  Virginia  I  shall  be  in  the 
neighborhood  where  many  of  these  trials  were  made. 
I  will  inform  myself  very  particularly  of  them  and 
communicate  the  information  to  you. 

Besides  these  there  is  an  instance  since  I  came 
away  of  a  young  man  (Mr.  Mays)  who  died  and 
gave  freedom  tD  all  his  slaves,  about  200;  this  is 
about  a  year  ago.  I  shall  know  how  they  have 
turned  out.  Notwithstanding  the  discouraging  re- 
sult of  these  experiments  I  am  decided  on  my  final 
return  to  America  to  try  this  one.  I  shall  endeavor 
to  import  as  many  Germans  as  I  have  grown  slaves. 
I  will  settle  them  and  my  slaves  on  farms  of  fifty 
acres  each,  intermingled,  and  place  all  on  the  footing 
of  the  Metayers  (Medictani)  of  Europe.  Their  chil- 
dren shall  be  brought  up  as  others  are  in  habits  of 
property  and  foresight,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that 
they  will  be  good  citizens.  Some  of  their  fathers  will 
be  so,  others  I  suppose  will  need  government;  with 
these  all  that  can  be  done  is  to  oblige  them  to 
labor  as  the  laboring  poor  of  Europe  do,  and  to 
apply  to  their  comfortable  subsistence  the  produce 
of  their  labor,  retaining  such  a  moderate  portion  of 
it  as  may  be  a  just  equivalent  for  the  use  of  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  43 


lands  they  labor  and  the  stocks  and  other  necessary 
advances. 

A  word  now  on  Mr.  Paradise's  affairs.  You  were 
informed  at  the  time  of  the  arrangement  they  had 
established  in  their  affairs,  to  wit,  reserving  four  hun- 
dred pounds  a  year  for  their  subsistence,  abandoning 
the  rest  of  their  income,  about  four  hundred  pounds 
more,  all  their  credits  (one  which  is  eight  hundred 
pounds  from  an  individual  and  another  is  one  thou- 
sand pounds  from  the  State),  and  the  cutting  of  a 
valuable  wood,  to  their  creditors.  Their  whole  debts 
amounting  but  to  two  thousand  three  hundred 
pounds,  the  term  of  payment  cannot  be  long  if  this 
arrangement  can  be  preserved.  I  had  hoped  that 
the  journey  to  Italy  would  have  fixed  Mrs.  Paradise 
with  her  daughter  and  left  him  free  to  travel  or  tarry 
where  he  liked  best,  but  this  journey  has  been  a  bur- 
den instead  of  a  relief  to  their  affairs.  In  fact  it  is 
evident  to  me  that  the  society  of  England  is  neces- 
sary for  the  happiness  of  Mrs.  Paradise  and  is  perhaps 
the  most  agreeable  to  Mr.  Paradise  also;  it  is  an 
object,  therefore,  to  obtain  the  concurrence  of  their 
creditors  in  the  arrangements  taken.  The  induce- 
ment to  be  proposed  to  them  is  Miss  Paradise  joining 
in  a  deed  in  which  these  dispositions  shall  be  stipu- 
lated (which  by  the  laws  of  Virginia  will  bind  her 
property  there)  so  that  the  creditors  would  be 
secured  of  their  debts  in  the  event  of  Mr.  Para- 
dise's death.  The  inducement  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Paradise  is  that  their  persons  and  property  shall 


44  Jefferson's  Works 


be  free  from  molestation  and  their  substance  not 
consumed  at  law. 

We  suppose  that  the  creditors  will  name  one  trus- 
tee and  Mr.  Paradise  another  (yourself),  fully  and 
solely  authorized  to  receive  all  remittances  from 
America,  to  pay  to  them  first  their  subsistence  money 
and  the  rest  to  the  creditors  till  they  are  fully  paid. 

Miss  Paradise  will  set  out  in  a  few  days  for  London 
to  set  her  hand  to  this  accommodation ;  in  the  mean- 
time they  hope  you  will  prepare  the  ground  by  nego- 
tiating the  settlement  with  the  creditors;  as  far  as 
I  have  any  influence  with  Mr.  or  Mrs.  Paradise  I  used 
it  and  shall  use  it  for  the  joint  interests  of  their 
creditors  and  themselves,  for  I  view  it  was  clearly 
their  interest  to  reduce  themselves  to  as  moderate 
an  expense  as  possible  till  their  debts  are  paid;  if  this 
can  be  effected  before  my  departure  in  April  I  will 
not  only  aid  it  here,  but  have  anything  done  which 
may  be  necessary  in  Virginia  when  I  go  there,  such 
as  the  recording  the  deed,  etc.  This  journey  of  Mr. 
Paradise's  will  also  be  an  experiment  whether  their 
distresses  will  not  be  lighter  when  separated  than 
while  together.  I  shall  always  be  glad  to  hear  from 
you.  Since  Mr.  Adams'  departure  I  have  need  of 
information  from  that  country  and  should  rely  much 
on  yours;  it  will  always  therefore  be  acceptable.  I 
am  with  very  sincere  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your  friend 
and  servant. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  45 


TO  THE  COUNTESS  BARZIZA. 

Paris,  July  8,  1788. 
Madam, — The  letter  of  March  15,  which  you  did 
me  the  honor  to  address  me,  came  during  my  absence 
on  a  journey  through  Holland  and  Germany,  and  my 
first  attentions  after  my  return  were  necessarily 
called  to  some  objects  of  business  of  too  pressing  a 
nature  to  be  postponed.  This  has  prevented  my 
acknowledging  as  soon  as  I  could  have  wished  the 
honor  of  receiving  your  letter.  The  welcome  recep- 
tion which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paradise  met  with  in  Vir- 
ginia was  due  to  their  own  merit  which  had  been 
well  known  there  before  their  arrival,  and  to  the 
esteem  for  your  family  entertained  in  that  country. 
You  would  experience  the  same,  Madam,  were  any 
consideration  to  tempt  you  to  leave  for  a  while  your 
present  situation  to  visit  the  transatlantic  seat  of 
your  ancestors.  Heaven  has  already  blessed  you 
with  one  child,  for  which  accept  my  sincere  congratu- 
lations. It  may  perhaps  multiply  these  blessings 
on  you  and  in  that  event  your  family  estate  in  Vir- 
ginia may  become  a  handsome  and  happy  establish- 
ment for  a  younger  child.  It  will  be  a  welcome 
present  to  a  country  which  will  continue  to  think  it 
has  some  claims  on  you.  I  felicitate  you  on  the 
prospect  of  seeing  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paradise  at  Venice. 
The  happiness  of  your  situation,  your  virtues  and 
those  of  the  Count  Barziza  will  contribute  to  re-estab- 
lish that  tranquillity  of  mind  which  an  unhappy  loss 


46  Jefferson's  Works 


has  disturbed  and  continues  to  disturb.  Sensibility 
of  mind  is  indeed  the  parent  of  every  virtue,  but  it  is 
the  parent  of  much  misery  too.  Nobody  is  more  its 
victim  than  Mr.  Paradise.  Your  happiness,  your 
affection  and  your  attentions  can  alone  restore  his 
serenity  of  mind.  I  am  sure  it  will  find  repose  in 
these  sources,  and  that  your  virtues  and  those  of  the 
Count  Barziza  will  occupy  his  mind  in  thinking  on 
what  he  possesses  rather  than  on  what  he  has  lost, 
and  in  due  time  to  deliver  him  up  fully  to  ^our 
affections. 

I  wish  to  you,  Madam,  a  continuance  of  all  those 
circumstances  of  happiness  which  surround  you,  and 
have  the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  most 
perfect  esteem  and  respect,  Madam,  your  most  obe- 
dient and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  C.  W.  F.  DUMAS. 

Paris,  July  30,  1788. 
Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  24th  has  just  come  to  hand 
and  that  of  the  20th  June  had  never  been  acknowl- 
edged. I  congratulate  you  on  the  news  just  received 
of  the  accession  of  New  Hampshire  to  the  new  Con- 
stitution, which  suffices  to  establish  it.  I  have  the 
honor  to  inclose  you  details  on  that  subject,  as  also 
on  the  reception  of  Mr.  Adams,  which  you  will  be  so 
good  as  to  reduce  to  such  a  size  as  may  gain  admis- 
sion into  the  Ley  den  gazette.  We  may  take  a  little 
glory  to  ourselves,  too,  on  the  victory  of  our  Paul 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  47 

Jones  over  the  Turks  commanded  by  the  Captain 
Pacha,  and  we  may  be  assured,  if  it  has  been  as  signal 
as  the  Russians  say,  that  Constantinople  will  be  bom- 
barded by  that  officer.  Why  did  the  Swedish  fleet 
salute  the  Russian  instead  of  attacking  it  ?  It  would 
make  one  suspect  that  their  whole  movements  had 
in  view  to  divert  the  Russian  fleet  from  going  round 
if  it  could  be  done  by  hectoring  without  engaging  in 
the  war,  well  understood  that  Turkey  pays  and 
England  guarantees  them  against  all  events.  It  is 
scarcely  possible,  however,  that  all  these  things  can 
pass  over  without  a  war.  I  think  the  internal  affairs 
of  this  country  will  be  settled  without  bloodshed. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  very  great  esteem  and 
respect,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 


TO  JOHN  JAY. 

Paris,  September  5,  1788. 
Sir, — I  wrote  you  the  3d  instant  and  have  this 
day  received  Mr.  Remsen's  favor  of  July  25,  written 
during  your  absence  at  Poughkeepsie,  and  enclosing 
the  ratification  of  the  loan  of  a  million  florins  for 
which  Mr.  Adams  had  executed  bonds  at  Amsterdam 
in  March  last.  The  expediency  of  that  loan  resulting 
from  an  estimate  made  by  Mr.  Adams  and  myself,  and 
that  estimate  having  been  laid  before  Congress,  their 
ratification  of  the  loan  induces  a  presumption  that 
they  will  appropriate  the  money  to  the  objects  of  the 
estimate.    I  am  in  hopes,  therefore,  that  orders  are 


48 


Jefferson's  Works 


given  by  the  Treasury  Board  to  the  commissioners  of 
loans  at  Amsterdam  to  apply  these  moneys  accord- 
ingly and  especially  to  furnish  as  soon  as  they  shall 
have  it  what  may  be  necessary  for  the  redemption 
of  our  captives  at  Algiers,  which  is  a  pressing  call. 
I  am  not  without  anxiety  however  or  this  subject, 
because  in  a  letter  of  July  2  2d,  received  this  day  from 
the  Treasury  Board,  they  say  nothing  on  that  subject 
nor  on  the  arrearages  of  the  foreign  officers.  They 
indorse  me  the  order  of  Congress  of  the  iSth  of  July 
for  sending  to  the  Treasury  Board  the  books  and 
papers  of  the  office  of  foreign  accounts.  I  shall 
accordingly  put  them  into  the  hands  of  a  person 
who  goes  from  Paris  to-morrow  morning  by  the  way 
of  Havre  to  America  and  shall  endeavor  to  prevail 
on  him  to  attend  them  from  the  place  of  his  landing 
to  Xew  York  that  the  board  may  receive  them  from 
the  hand  which  receives  them  from  me. 

The  re-establishment  of  the  parliament  and  revo- 
cation of  everything  which  was  done  on  the  8th  of 
May  is  expected  to  take  place  in  three  or  four  days. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  most 
perfect  esteem  and  respect.  Sir,  your  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  FRANCIS  H0PKINS0N. 

Paris.  December  21.  1788. 
Dear  Sir. — My  last  to  you  was  of  May  8  and  July 
6.  that  of  the  latter  date  was  only  to  enclose  a  book- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  49 


seller's  proposals  for  sending  books  to  America.  The 
one  of  May  8  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  yours  of 
Dec.  1 6.  I  informed  you  also  in  the  letter  of  May  8 
that  the  vinegar  was  at  length  lodged  for  you  in  the 
hands  of  M.  Limousin  at  Havre  to  be  forwarded  to 
the  first  vessel  to  Philadelphia.  He  has  never  sent 
it  till  the  last  month  and  then  by  a  vessel  bound  to 
Baltimore  as  you  will  see  by  the  enclosed  bill  of 
lading.  However  it  was  in  the  care  of  a  Mr.  Vanet 
who  was  to  go  on  to  New  York  and  who  I  hope 
would  give  you  notice  of  it.  The  books  also  which 
were  lodged  with  M.  Limousin  for  yourself,  Dr. 
Franklin  and  Mr.  Rittenhouse  remained  the  whole 
winter  at  Havre.  However,  I  hope  you  have  long 
ago  received  them  safe.  I  sent  you  as  far  as  the 
2 2d  livraison  of  the  Encyclopedic  We  are  now  at 
the  29th.  To  that  number,  therefore,  and  what  more 
may  come  out  before  April  1,  I  shall  bring  to  you, 
for  I  have  asked  of  Congress  a  leave  of  five  or  six 
months'  absence  of  the  next  year  to  carry  my  family 
home  and  to  arrange  my  affairs  there  which  were 
left  at  sixes  and  sevens  under  the  idea  of  soon  return- 
ing to  them. 

I  shall  hope  therefore  to  see  you  in  the  course  of 
the  summer.  I  have  no  doubt  about  continuing  to 
take  out  your  encyclopaedia  because  I  have  had  your 
express  approbation  cf  doing  it  and  you  would 
expressly  desire  me  to  cease  if  you  meant  to  discon- 
tinue. But  I  am  more  doubtful  as  to  Dr.  Franklin's 
because  my  first  doing  it  for  him  was  without  orders 

VOL.  XIX — 4 


Jefferson's  Works 


and  he  has  never  intimated  to  me  a  wish  to  continue. 
However  I  shall  bring  his  also,  unless  he  expressly 
desires  the  contrary  for  which  he  will  still  have  time 
as  I  shall  not  sail  till  the  middle  of  April.  Be  so  good 
as  to  mention  these  things  to  him  with  my  sincere 
respects. 

Not  having  one  scrap  of  news  in  literature  or  the 
arts  I  must  be  contented  to  give  you  those  of  the 
political  world.  This  country  is  proceeding  steadily 
to  form  a  constitution.  The  noise  in  the  earlier  part 
of  it  threatened  violence,  but  as  yet  not  a  life  has 
been  lost.  All  hands  are  employed  in  drawing  plans 
of  bills  of  rights.  Their  States-General  will  probably 
meet  in  March.  They  will  obtain  with  little  or  no 
opposition  from  the  court  their  own  periodical  meet- 
ing, their  exclusive  right  to  tax,  and  a  share  in  the 
legislation.  Some  will  aim  at  a  habeas  corpus  law 
and  free  press.  These  will  not  be  so  sure  in  the  first 
session.  These  occupations  render  this  country  very 
desirous  of  peace.  The  insanity  of  the  King  of 
England  leaves  them  tolerably  sure  of  it,  as  regencies 
are  generally  peaceable  and  there  is  no  other  quarter 
from  which  they  feared  being  forced  into  a  war.  We 
had  supposed  the  war  in  the  North  in  a  fair  way  of 
being  stopped  when  all  of  a  sudden  disturbances  in 
Poland  seem  to  threaten  a  rupture  between  Russia 
and  Poland.  In  this  case  the  former  must  make  her 
peace  with  the  Turks  by  the  cession  of  the  Crimea  and 
the  scene  of  war  will  be  changed.  As  yet,  however, 
the  symptoms  are  not  decisive  enough  to  say  that  it 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  5* 


will  take  that  turn.  I  am  happy  to  find  our  new 
Constitution  is  accepted  and  our  government  likely  to 
answer  its  purposes  better.  I  hope  that  the  addition 
of  a  bill  of  rights  will  bring  over  to  it  a  greater  part 
of  those  now  opposed  to  it;  and  that  this  may  be 
added  without  submitting  the  whole  to  the  risk  of  a 
new  convention.  It  would  still  have  one  fault  in 
my  eye,  that  of  perpetual  re-eligibility  of  the  Presi- 
dent. But  if  my  fears  on  that  should  be  verified  in 
the  experiment  I  trust  to  the  good  sense  of  our  chil- 
dren that  they  will  apply  the  remedy  which  shall 
suit  the  circumstances  then  existing.  Remember 
me  affectionately  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse  and  his  family. 
Join  my  daughter  in  the  same  greetings  as  well  as  in 
those  I  desire  you  to  present  to  your  mother.  Be 
assured  yourself  of  the  sentiments  of  esteem  and 
attachment  with  which  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  friend 
and  servant. 

P.  S.  Jan.  i,  1789.  My  letter  having  waited  a 
conveyance  till  this  date  I  will  add  a  word  on  the 
rigors  of  the  winter  in  which  we  are.  They  have 
been  excessive  since  the  middle  of  November  and 
are  likely  to  continue.  The  mercury  has  been  here 
as  low  as  9^°  of  Fahrenheit  below  nought,  that  is  to 
say  41^°  below  the  freezing  point,  which  is  more  than 
was  ever  known  before.  I  received  letters  from 
Marseilles  this  morning  informing  me  the  winter  is 
more  severe  there  than  it  was  in  1709,  when  they 
lost  all  their  olive  trees.    They  apprehend  the  same 


52  Jefferson's  Works 


calamity  now;  and  it  will  take  twenty  years  to 
replace  them. 

Jan.  12.  After  sealing  my  letter  yours  of  Oct. 
23d  came  to  hand.  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  Dr.  Frank- 
lin's health;  having  had  no  news  of  him  since  July 

we  were  in  quiet.    I  have  seen  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tellier  

the  vinegar  you  find  is  on  its  way.  You  will  have 
the  enjoyment  the  longer.  I  have  not  had  time  to 
read  your  vagary  as  you  call  it  because  I  opened  the 
letter  only  in  the  moment  this  is  going  off.  I  am  sure 
it  will  please  me  as  all  your  vagaries  do.  Adieu. 


TO  JOHN  JAY. 

Paris,  March  1,  1789. 
Sir, — My  last  letters  have  been  of  the  nth,  12th 
and  2 1  st  of  January.  The  present  conveyance  being 
through  the  post  to  Havre,  from  whence  a  vessel  is 
to  sail  for  New  York,  I  avail  myself  of  it  principally 
to  send  you  the  newspapers.  That  of  Leyden  of  the 
24th  contains  a  note  of  the  Charge  des  Affaires  of 
France  at  Warsaw  which  is  interesting.  It  shows  a 
concert  between  France  and  Russia ;  it  is  a  prognosti- 
cation that  Russia  will  interfere  in  the  affairs  of 
Poland,  and  if  she  does  it  is  most  probable  that  the 
King  of  Poland  must  be  drawn  into  the  war.  The 
revolution  which  has  taken  place  in  Geneva  is  a 
remarkable  and  late  event.  With  the  loss  of  only 
two  or  three  lives,  and  in  the  course  of  one  week,  riots 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  53 


begun  at  first  on  account  of  a  rise  in  the  price  of 
bread  were  improved  and  pointed  to  a  reformation 
of  their  constitution,  and  their  ancient  constitution 
has  been  almost  completely  re-established.  Nor  do 
I  see  any  reason  to  doubt  of  the  permanence  of  the 
re-establishment. 

The  King  of  England  has  shown  such  marks  of 
returning  reason  that  the  regency  bill  was  postponed 
in  the  House  of  Lords  on  the  19th  inst.  It  seems 
now  probable  there  may  be  no  change  of  the  minis- 
try, perhaps  no  regent.  We  may  be  sure,  however, 
that  the  present  ministry  make  the  most  of  those 
favorable  symptoms.  There  has  been  a  riot  in  Brit- 
tany begun  on  account  of  the  price  of  bread  but  con- 
verted into  a  quarrel  between  the  noblesse  and  Tiers- 
Etat.  Some  few  lives  were  lost  in  it.  All  is  quieted 
for  the  present  moment.  In  Burgundy  and  Franche- 
cornpte  the  opposition  of  the  nobles  to  the  views 
of  government  is  very  warm.  Everywhere  else, 
however,  the  revolution  is  going  on  quietly  and 
steadily  and  the  public  mind  ripening  so  fast  that 
there  is  great  reason  to  hope  a  good  result  from 
the  States-General.  Their  numbers — about  twelve 
hundred — give  room  to  fear,  indeed,  that  they  may 
be  turbulent. 

Having  never  heard  of  Admiral  Paul  Jones  since 
the  action  in  which  he  took  part  before  Oczahow,  I 
began  to  be  a  little  uneasy.  But  I  have  now  received 
a  letter  from  him  dated  at  St.  Petersburg,  the  31st 
of  January,  where  he  had  just  arrived  at  the  desire 


54  *  Jefferson's  Works 


of  the  Empress.  He  has  hitherto  commanded  on 
the  Black  Sea.  He  does  not  know  whether  he  shall 
be  employed  there,  or  where,  the  ensuing  campaign. 
I  have  no  other  intelligence  which  would  not  lead  me 
into  details  improper  for  the  present  mode  of  convey- 
ance. After  observing,  therefore,  that  the  gazettes 
of  France  and  Leyden  to  the  present  date  accompany 
this  I  shall  only  add  assurances  of  the  sincere  esteem 
and  respect  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  dear 
Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  JOHN  PAUL  JONES. 

Paris,  March  23,  1789. 
(By  courier  of  France.) 
Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  January  20/31  from  St. 
Petersburg  came  safe  to  hand  and  is  the  only  proof 
we  have  received  of  your  existence  since  you  left 
Copenhagen.  I  mention  this  that  reflecting  how  and 
what  you  have  written  heretofore  you  may  know  how 
and  what  you  may  write  hereafter.  I  shall  put  noth- 
ing into  this  letter  but  what  is  important  to  you  and 
unimportant  to  any  government  through  which  it 
may  pass. 

To  begin  with  your  private  affairs.  I  received 
three  days  ago  from  M.  Amoureux  a  bill  for  1,900 
louis  payable  at  three  (usances?),  which  I  have  deliv- 
ered to  Messrs.  Grand  and  Co.,  and  desired  them  to 
receive  it  when  due  and  hold  it  subject  to  your  order. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  55 


This  Amoureux  mentions  as  forming  a  une  bagatelle 
pres,  the  balance  due  you. 

Having  been  *  *  *  *  to  carry  into  execution  the 
orders  for  the  medals,  I  have  contracted  with  the 
workmen  for  them  and  they  are  all  in  hand.  Yours 
is  to  be  executed  by  Dupre  who  is,  I  think,  the  best 
among  them ;  and  it  will  be  done  in  the  course  of  the 
summer.  My  instructions  as  to  these  medals  are 
general,  to  wit :  I  am  to  deliver  one  of  gold  or  silver — 
as  the  case  may  be — to  the  person  who  is  the  subject ; 
to  send  one  of  silver  to  every  sovereign  and  one  of 
copper  to  every  University  of  Europe  (Great  Britain 
excepted),  two  hundred  copies  to  Congress  and  one 
apiece  to  Lafayette,  Rochambeau,  Destaing  and 
Degrasse.  I  am  at  liberty  to  deliver  no  others.  Not 
even  at  the  orders  and  expense  of  the  persons  who  are 
the  subjects  of  the  medals.  But  your  wish  will  be 
fulfilled  as  to  the  Empress,  because  I  shall  send  her 
(  a  suite  of  the  whole  medals  under  the  general  order. 

I  had  lately  presented  to  me  a  demand  for  about 
^4,000  from  the  French  consul  at  Bergen,  without 
being  told  for  what.  My  answer  was  tlvA  I  knew  of 
no  cause  for  such  an  application  and  could  not  pay  it. 
I  suspect  this  demand  has  some  connection  with  a  very 
large  packet  of  official  papers  I  received  addressed  to 
you  from  Denmark  or  Norway  in  the  Danish  lan- 
guage. By  the  bye,  that  business  makes  no  way; 
though  I  have  written  to  Count  Bernstorff  pressing  a 
settlement,  and  often  spoken  to  their  envoy  here,  I 
cannot  obtain  one  word  of  an  answer  of  any  kind. 


56  Jefferson's  Works 


Another  word  on  the  subject  of  your  medal. 
Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  your  letter  I  wrote 
to  the  medallist,  cul-de-sac  Tetebout  (his  name  is 
Renaud),  and  bought  a  copy  of  the  medal  he  had 
made,  which  I  gave  to  Dupre  with  the  observations 
of  your  letter  on  it.  He  will  avail  himself  of  so  much 
of  the  design  as  is  good  and  as  is  permitted  by  the 
resolution  of  the  Academie,  to  whom  I  applied  for 
devices  for  all  the  medals.  Gordon's  history  fur- 
nished me  a  good  relation  of  your  engagement  though 
the  author  has  permitted  himself  an  impertinence  or 
two  relative  to  you. 

Renaud 's  account  is  852,  as  you  will  see  by  the 
inclosed  state  of  it.  Mr.  Grand  will  pay  him  on 
your  order  so  much  of  it  as  you  find  just.  Houdon 
has  promised  to  have  the  eight  busts  ready  as  soon 
as  possible,  and  I  shall  have  him  paid  out  of  the  same 
fund.  They  will  be  ready  packed  against  your  orders 
arrived  as  to  the  persons  to  whom  they  were  destined. 
For  you  will  please  to  observe  that  neither  your  letter 
of  January  20/31  nor  the  extracts  forwarded  in  that 
of  *  *  *  and  September  16/23  mention  the  names  of 
the  persons  they  are  to  be  sent  to.  In  like  manner 
your  letter  of  January  20/31  says  it  incloses  an 
extract  of  the  journal  of  your  campaign  in  1779. 
But  none  such  was  inclosed.  Mr.  Short,  now  in 
Italy,  will  be  here  to  receive  your  orders  for  the 
distribution  of  the  busts.  I  shall  be  absent  in 
America  from  the  first  of  May  to  the  end  of  Novem- 
ber, as  I  have  asked  leave  to  go  and  carry  my  family 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  57 


home  and  arrange  my  affairs,  and  shall  return  before 
the  winter  sets  in.  But  the  busts  will  be  finished  and 
paid  for  before  I  go,  so  that  nothing  will  remain  for 
Mr.  Short  but  to  forward  them.  *****  my  senti- 
ments respecting  the  Algerines.  I  shall  certainly 
make  them  a  subject  of  consultation  with  our  gov- 
ernment while  I  shall  be  in  America.  My  favorite 
project  is  still  to  procure  a  concurrence  of  the  powers 
at  war  with  them;  that  that  concurrence  continue 
till  the  strength  of  those  barbarians  at  sea  be  totally 
annihilated  and  that  the  combined  force  employed 
in  effecting  this  shall  not  be  disturbed  in  its  operation 
by  wars  or  other  incidents  occurring  between  the 
powers  composing  it. 

Our  new  Constitution  was  acceded  to  in  the  course 
of  the  last  summer  by  all  the  states  except  North 
Carolina  and  Rhode  Island.  Massachusetts,  Vir- 
ginia and  New  York  though  they  accepted  uncon- 
ditionally yet  gave  it  as  a  perpetual  instruction  to 
their  future  delegates  never  to  cease  urging  certain 
amendments.  North  Carolina  insisted  that  the 
amendments  should  be  made  before  she  would 
accede.  The  more  important  of  these  amendments 
will  be  effected  by  adding  a  bill  of  rights ;  and  even 
the  friends  of  the  Constitution  are  become  sensible 
of  the  expediency  of  such  an  addition  were  it  only  to 
conciliate  the  opposition.  In  fact  this  security  for 
liberty  seems  to  be  demanded  by  the  general  voice 
of  America  and  we  may  conclude  it  will  unquestion- 
ably be  added.    New  York,  Virginia  and  North  Caro- 


58  Jefferson's  Works 


lina  have  also  demanded  that  a  term  be  fixed  after 
which  the  President  shall  be  no  longer  eligible.  But 
the  public  has  been  silent  on  this  demand ;  so  we  may 
doubt  its  success.  In  the  meantime  the  elections 
for  the  new  government  were  going  on  quietly  at  the 
date  of  our  last  letters.  We  have  the  names  of  most 
of  the  Senators  but  not  of  the  representatives.  There 
was  no  question  but  General  Washington  would  be 
elected  President ;  and  we  know  that  he  would  accept 
it,  though  with  vast  reluctance.  The  new  Congress 
was  to  meet  the  first  Wednesday  in  this  month,  at 
New  York.  The  tickets  of  election  of  the  President 
would  then  be  opened,  and  I  presume  that  General 
Washington  is  now  at  New  York  and  the  new  legisla- 
ture in  a  course  of  business.  The  only  competitions 
for  the  Vice-Presidentship  were  Mr.  J.  Adams  and  Mr. 
Hancock.  It  was  thought  the  former  would  be  chosen. 

Though  the  new  Constitution  was  adopted  in 
eleven  states,  yet  in  those  of  Massachusetts,  Virginia 
and  New  York  it  was  by  very  small  majorities;  and 
the  minorities  in  the  two  last  are  far  from  the  laud- 
able acquiescence  of  that  of  Massachusetts.  Gov- 
ernor Clinton  in  New  York  and  Mr.  Henry  in  Vir- 
ginia are  moving  heaven  and  earth  to  have  a  new 
convention  to  make  capital  changes.  But  they  will 
not  succeed.  There  has  been  just  opposition  enough 
to  produce  probably  further  guards  to  liberty  with- 
out touching  the  energy  of  the  government  and  this 
will  bring  over  the  bulk  of  the  opposition  to  the  side 
of  the  new  government. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  59 


In  this  country  things  go  on  well.  The  States- 
General  are  to  meet  the  27th  of  April.  The  report 
of  Mr.  Necker  to  the  King  seems  to  promise  the  public : 
1.  That  the  King  will  pretend  in  future  to  no  power 
of  laying  a  new  tax  or  continuing  an  old  one.  2. 
That  he  will  not  take  upon  him  to  appropriate  public 
moneys  to  be  given  by  the  States.  Of  course  they 
are  to  appropriate.  3.  That  the  States  shall  con- 
vene at  fixed  epochs.  4.  That  the  King  will  concur 
with  them  in  modifying  lettres  de  cachet.  5.  And 
in  giving  a  wholesome  liberty  to  the  press.  6.  That 
ministers  shall  be  responsible,  and  7.  That  all  this 
shall  be  so  solemnly  fixed  that  the  King  nor  his  suc- 
cessors will  have  any  power  to  change  it.  Nothing 
has  been  said  about  giving  to  the  States  a  participa- 
tion in  legislation,  but  it  will  be  insisted  on.  The 
-States  will  be  composed  of  about  three  hundred 
clergy,  three  hundred  nobles,  and  six  hundred  com- 
moners, and  their  first  question  will  be  whether  they 
will  vote  by  orders  or  persons.  I  think  the  latter  will 
be  decided.  If  this  difficulty  be  got  over  I  see  no 
other  to  a  very  happy  settlement  of  their  affairs. 
They  will  consolidate  and  fund  their  debts  and  this 
circumstance,  as  well  as  the  stability  which  the 
changes  will  give  to  the  proceedings  of  their  govern- 
ment, will  enable  them  after  the  present  year  to  take 
any  part  they  please  in  the  settlement  of  its  affairs. 
You  have  heard  of  the  insanity  of  the  King  of  Eng- 
land. His  ministers  pretend  he  is  recovered.  In 
truth  he  is  better,  but  not  well.    Time  will  be  neces- 


1 


6o  Jefferson's  Works 


sary  for  his  perfect  recovery  and  to  produce  a  con- 
fidence that  it  is  not  merely  a  lucid  interval. 

I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  as  often  as  possible, 
and  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  very  great  esteem, 
dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant. 


TO  JOHN  ADAMS. 

Paris,  May  10,  1789. 
Dear  Sir, — Since  mine  of  January  14  yours  of 
Jan.  20,  March  1  have  been  handed  to  me;  the  former 
by  Mr.  Jones,  whom  I  am  glad  to  know  on  your 
recommendation  and  to  make  him  the  channel  of 
evidencing  to  you  how  much  I  esteem  whatever 
comes  from  you.  The  internal  agitations  of  this 
country  and  the  inactivities  to  which  England  is 
reduced  by  the  state  of  imbecility  in  which  the  mad- 
ness of  the  King  has  terminated,  will  leave  the  south- 
western parts  of  Europe  in  peace  for  the  present  year. 
Denmark  will  probably  continue  to  furnish  only  its 
stipulated  succors  to  Russia,  without  engaging  in 
the  war  as  a  principal.  Perhaps  a  pacification  may 
be  effected  between  Sweden  and  Russia;  though  at 
present  there  is  little  appearance  of  it  and  that  we 
may  expect  that  the  war  will  go  on  this  year  between 
the  two  empires,  the  Turks  and  Swedes,  without 
extending  any  further.  Even  the  death  of  the  Em- 
peror, should  it  take  place,  would  hardly  withdraw 
his  dominions  from  the  war  this  summer. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  61 


The  revolution  in  this  country  has  gone  on  hitherto 
with  a  quickness,  a  steadiness  and  a  progress  unex- 
ampled, but  there  is  danger  of  a  balk  now.  The 
three  orders  which  compose  the  States-General  seem 
likely  to  stumble  at  the  threshold  on  the  great  par- 
liamentary question,  How  shall  they  vote,  by  orders 
or  persons?  If  they  get  well  over  this  question 
there  will  be  no  difficulty  afterwards,  there  is  so 
general  concurrence  in  the  great  points  of  constitu- 
tional reformation.  If  they  do  not  get  over  this 
question — and  this  seems  possible — it  cannot  be 
foreseen  what  issue  this  matter  will  take.  As  yet, 
however,  no  business  being  begun,  no  votes  taken, 
we  cannot  pronounce  with  certainty  the  exact  status 
of  parties.  This  is  a  summary  view  of  European 
affairs. 

Though  I  have  not  official  information  of  your 
election  to  the  Presidency  of  the  Senate,  yet  I  have 
such  information  as  renders  it  certain.  Accept,  I 
pray  you,  my  sincere  congratulations.  No  man  on 
earth  pays  more  cordial  homage  to  your  work,  nor 
wishes  more  fervently  your  happiness. 

Though  I  detest  the  appearance  even  of  flattery, 
I  cannot  always  suppress  the  effusiveness  of  my 
heart.  Present  me  affectionately  to  Mrs.  Adams, 
Colonel  and  Mrs.  Smith.  I  hope  to  see  you  all  this 
summer  and  to  return  this  fall  to  my  prison,  for  all 
Europe  would  be  a  prison  to  me  were  it  ten  times  as 
big.  Adieu,  my  dear  friend.  Your  affectionate  hum- 
ble servant. 


62 


Jefferson's  Works 


TO  NATHANIEL  CUTTING. 

Paris,  June  7,  1789. 

Dear  Sir, — Though  your  last  letter — received 
yesterday — supposes  you  will  be  setting  out  for 
Paris  before  this  can  reach  you,  yet  on  the  bare  pos- 
sibility of  your  being  delayed  I  just  write  a  line  to 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  that  letter  and  of  one  of 
May  22,  and  to  thank  you  particularly  for  the  one 
received  yesterday,  which  conveyed  very  interesting 
intelligence  which  I  had  not  before.  The  latest 
letters  here  from  America  are  of  April  10;  since  the 
discontinuance  of  the  Havre  packet  my  intelligence 
from  America  has  been  miserably  defective. 

I  had  high  hopes  of  a  favorable  issue  to  the  revo- 
lution of  this  country  till  about  ten  days  ago  there 
began  to  be  room  to  fear.  The  aspect  even  at  this 
time  is  discouraging  though  not  quite  as  much  as  it 
was  a  week  ago.  By  the  time  of  your  arrival  here 
things  will  probably  take  some  evident  correction. 

Mr.  Rutledge  lodges  Hotelle  d'Angleterre,  rue  St. 
Honore.  There  are  in  the  same  hotel  Mr.  Paradise, 
Colonel  and  Mrs.  Blackden  and  Mr.  Barlow,  all  Ameri- 
cans, so  that  you  might  like  to  lodge  there.  I  sent 
to  Mr.  Rutledge  the  paragraph  letter  respecting  him. 

In  hopes  of  seeing  you  here  before  I  depart  and 
doubting  whether  this  will  find  you  at  London,  I  will 
only  add  assurances  of  esteem  and  attachment  with 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  dear  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


Thomas  Paine 


(1737-1809.) 

Reproduction  from  the  Original  Painting  by  George Jlomney. 

Thomas  Paine  was  horn  in  the  village  of  Thetford,  England. 
After  engaging  in  his  father's  trade  of  staymaker,  for  some  time  in 
London,  he  secured  a  place  in  the  Excise.  About  the  year  1761  he 
became  a  school  teacher,  but  later  relinquished  the  position  to  re-enter 
the  Excise.  Here  he  drew  up  a  statement  of  grievances  under  which 
he  and  his  fellow-workers  labored.  Its  style  attracted  the  attention 
of  one  of  the  commissioners  who  was  induced  thereby  to  give  Paine  a 
letter  of  introduction  to.  Benjamin  Franklin.  Upon  the  latter's 
advice  he  emigrated  o  America  where  he  began  contributing  articles 
to  various  periodicals.  In  1775  he  assumed  editorship  of  the  "Phila- 
delphia Magazine."  A  year  later  he  published -his  book,  "Common 
Sense"  which  won  him  high  honors  and  an  award  from  the  Legislature 
of  Pennsylvania  of  £500.  Burke  referred  to  this  work  as  "that  cele- 
brated pamphlet  which  prepared  the  minds  of  the  people  for  independ- 
ence." In  1 78 1  he  was  chosen  to  accompany  Col.  Lawrence  to  France 
to  negotiate  a  loan.  On  his  return  to  America,  in  acknowledgment 
of  his  services  to  the  cause  of  the  War  of  Independence,  he  was  given 
an  official  appointment,  a  gift  of  three  thousand  dollars  and  a  small 
estate  near  New  Rochelle,  N.  Y.  After  the  Revolution  ended  he 
went  to  London  to  pursue  mechanical  studies  in  which  he  had  always 
excelled.  While  there  he  published  his  "Rights  of  Man"  in  answer 
to  Burke's  "Reflections  on  the  French  Revolution."  This  work  was 
condemned  as  seditious.  Its  author  was  brought  to  trial  and  found 
guilty.  Paine,  however,  escaped  and  went  to  France  where  he  became 
a  member  of  the  National  Convention.  His  pamphlet  pleading  for 
the  life  of  Louis  XVI  caused  Robespierre  to  throw  him  in  prison  where 
he  remained  up  to  the  time  of..  Robespierre's  downfall. 

In  1795,  appeared  his  famous  "Age  of  Reason "  which though 
denounced  as  atheistic  in  its  doctrines,  expressly  inculcates  a  belief 
in  God.  He  lived  in  France  until  the  year  1802,  producing  a  volu- 
minous amount  of  work  upon  social,  political  and  theological- subjects. 
In  1802  Jefferson,  then  President  of  the  United  States,  offered  Paine 
an  opportunity  to  return  to  America  which  he  accepted.  He  spent 
the  latter  years  of  his  life  in  writing  about  the  building  of  war-ships, 
iron -bridges  and  kindred  matters.  Eleven  years  after  Paine's  death, 
in  New  York,  in.  1809,  Cobbett  removed  his  bones  and  relics  to  Eng- 
land. A  monument  was  erected  to  his  memory  in  1839,  near  his 
birthplace.  There  is  also  a  fine  statue  of  Paine  in  the  vicinity  of 
New  Rochelle.  New  York.  ' 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  63 


TO  THOMAS  PAINE. 

Paris,  July  13,  1789. 
Dear  Sir, — I  wrote  you  the  day  before  yesterday 
by  Mr.  Paradise.  I  write  now  by  post.  The  case 
described  in  that  letter,  page  three,  line  four  to 
eleven,  has  happened.  Mr.  Necker  was  dismissed 
from  office  the  evening  of  the  nth  and  set  out  for 
Geneva.  This  was  not  generally  known  in  Paris  till 
yesterday  afternoon.  The  mobs  immediately  shut 
up  all  the  playhouses.  The  foreign  troops  were 
advanced  into  the  city,  engagements  took  place 
between  some  of  them  and  the  people.  The  first 
was  in  the  Place  St.  Louis  XV,  where  a  body  of  Ger- 
man cavalry  being  drawn  up  the  people  posted  them- 
selves upon  and  behind  the  piles  of  stones  collected 
there  for  bridges,  attacked  and  drove  off  the  cavalry 
with  stones.  I  suspect  the  cavalry  rallied  and 
returned,  as  I  heard  shortly  after  in  the  same  spot  a 
considerable  firing.  This  was  a  little  before  dusk 
and  it  is  now  early  in  the  morning,  so  I  have  not 
ascertained  any  particulars.  Monsieur  de  Mont- 
morin  has  resigned.  It  is  said  Baron  de  Breteuil  is 
taken  into  the  ministry,  but  I  cannot  affirm  this. 
The  progress  of  things  here  will  be  subject  to  checks 
from  time  to  time  of  course.  Whether  they  will  be 
great  or  small  will  depend  on  the  army.  But  they 
will  be  only  checks.  I  am,  dear  Sir,  with  great 
esteem,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 


64  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  JOHN  BONDFIELD. 

Paris,  July  16,  1789. 

Dear  Sir, — I  am  honored  with  yours  of  the  1  ith 
inst.  and  lament  much  that  I  cannot  avail  myself  of 
so  excellent  an  opportunity  of  going  to  America  as 
the  Washington  offers.  But  not  having  yet  received 
my  permission  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  go. 

The  tumults  in  Paris  which  took  place  on  the 
change  of  the  ministry,  the  slaughter  of  the  people 
in  the  assault  of  the  Bastile,  the  beheading  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Lieutenant-Governor  of  it  and  the  Prevost 
de  Merchands,  excited  in  the  King  so  much  concern 
that,  bursting  from  the  shackles  of  his  ministers  and 
advisers,  he  went  yesterday  morning  to  the  States- 
General  with  only  his  two  brothers,  opened  his  heart 
to  them,  asked  them  what  he  could  do  to  restore 
peace  and  happiness  to  his  people  and  showed  him- 
self ready  to  do  everything  for  that  purpose,  prom- 
ising particularly  to  send  away  the  troops.  The  heat 
of  the  city  is  as  yet  too  great  to  give  entire  credit  to 
this  and  they  continue  to  arm  and  organize  hour- 
geoisie.  But  I  think  you  may  be  assured  of  the 
honest  sincerity  of  the  King  in  this  last  transaction 
which  came  from  himself,  and  that  no  other  act  of 
violence  will  come  from  him.  He  returned  to  the 
chateau  afoot  and  the  whole  States-General  with 
him.  I  am,  with  great  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  65 


TO  JOHN  JAY. 

Paris,  August  5,  1789. 

Sir, — I  wrote  you  the  19th  of  the  last  month  with 
a  postscript  of  the  21st  and  again  on  the  23d  and 
29th.  Those  letters  went  by  private  conveyance; 
this  goes  by  the  London  post. 

Since  my  last  some  small  and  momentary  tumults 
have  taken  place  in  this  city  in  one  of  which  a  few  of 
the  rioters  were  killed  by  the  city  militia.  No  more 
popular  executions  have  taken  place.  The  capture 
of  the  Baron  de  Besenval,  commandant  of  the  Swiss 
troops,  as  he  was  flying  to  Switzerland,  and  of  the 
Duke  de  la  Vanguger  endeavoring  to  escape  by  sea, 
would  endanger  new  interposition  of  the  popular 
arm  were  they  to  be  brought  to  Paris.  They  are, 
therefore,  confined  where  they  were  taken.  The 
former  of  these  being  unpopular  with  the  troops 
under  his  command,  on  account  of  oppressions,  occa- 
sioned a  deputation  from  their  body  to  demand  jus- 
tice to  be  done  on  him  and  to  avow  the  devotion  of 
the  Swiss  troops  to  the  cause  of  the  nation.  They 
had  before  taken  side  in  part  only. 

Mr.  Necker's  return  contributed  much  to  establish 
tranquillity,  though  not  quite  as  much  as  was  ex- 
pected. His  just  intercessions  for  the  Baron  de 
Besenval  and  other  fugitives  dampened  very  sensibly 
the  popular  ardor  towards  him.  Their  hatred  is 
stronger  than  their  love.  Yesterday  the  other  min- 
isters were  named.    The  Archbishop  of  Bordeaux  is 

VOL.  XIX — 5 


66  Jefferson's  Works 


Garde  des  Sceaux;  M.  de  la  Tourdepin,  minister  of 
war ;  the  Prince  of  Beauvon  is  taken  into  the  council 
and  the  jeuille  des  benefices  given  to  the  Archbishop 
of  Bordeaux.  These  are  all  of  the  popular  party; 
so  that  the  ministry  (M.  de  la  Luzerne  excepted)  and 
the  council,  being  all  in  reformation  principles,  no 
further  opposition  maybe  expected  from  that  quarter. 

The  national  assembly  now  seriously  set  their 
hands  to  the  work  of  the  constitution.  They  decided 
a  day  or  two  ago  the  question  whether  they  should 
begin  by  a  declaration  of  rights,  by  a  great  majority 
in  the  affirmative.  The  negatives  were  of  the  clergy 
who  fear  to  trust  the  people  with  the  whole  truth. 
The  declaration  itself  is  now  on  the  carpet. 

By  way  of  corollory  to  it  they  last  night  mowed 
down  a  whole  legion  of  abuses,  as  you  will  see  by  the 
arrette  which  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  you.  This 
will  stop  the  burning  of  chateaux  and  tranquillize  the 
country  more  than  all  the  addresses  they  could  send 
them.  I  expressed  to  you  my  fears  of  the  imprac- 
ticability of  debate  and  decision  in  a  room  of  twelve 
hundred  persons  as  soon  as  Mr.  Necker's  determina- 
tion to  call  that  number  was  known.  The  incon- 
veniences of  their  number  have  been  distressing  to 
the  last  degree,  though  as  yet  they  have  been  em- 
ployed in  work  which  could  be  done  in  the  lump. 
They  are  now  proceeding  to  instruments  every  word 
of  which  must  be  weighed  with  precision.  Hereto- 
fore, too,  they  were  hooped  together  by  a  common 
enemy.    This  is  no  longer  the  case.    Yet  a  thorough 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  67 

view  of  the  wisdom  and  rectitude  of  this  assembly 
disposes  me  more  to  hope  they  will  find  some  means 
of  surmounting  the  difficulty  of  their  numbers,  than 
to  fear  that  yielding  to  the  unmanageableness  of 
debate  in  such  a  crowd,  and  to  the  fatigue  of  the 
experiment,  they  may  be  driven  to  adopt  in  gross 
some  one  of  the  many  projects  which  will  be  pro- 
posed. There  is  a  germ  of  schism  in  the  pretensions 
of  Paris  to  form  its  municipal  establishment  inde- 
pendently of  the  authority  of  the  nation.  It  is  not 
yet  proceeded  so  far  as  to  threaten  danger.  The 
occasion  does  not  permit  me  to  send  the  public 
papers;  but  nothing  remarkable  has  taken  place  in 
the  other  parts  of  Europe.  I  have  the  honor  to 
be,  with  the  most  perfect  respect  and  esteem,  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  GENERAL  HENRY  KNOX. 

Paris,  September  12,  1789. 
Sir, — In  a  letter  which  I  had  the  honor  of  writ- 
ing to  the  Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs  some 
three  or  four  years  ago  I  informed  him  that  a 
workman  had  undertaken  by  the  help  of  moulds 
and  other  means  to  make  all  the  parts  of  the  musket 
so  exactly  alike  as  that  mixed  together  promiscu- 
ously any  one  part  would  serve  equally  for  every 
musket.  He  had  then  succeeded  as  to  the  lock 
both  of  the  officers '  fusil  and  the  soldiers'  musket, 
from  a  promiscuous  collection  of  parts.    I  put 


68  Jefferson's  Works 


together  myself  half  a  dozen  locks  taking  the  first 
pieces  which  came  to  hand.  He  has  now  completed 
the  barrels,  stock  and  mounting  of  the  officers ' 
fusil  and  is  proceeding  on  those  of  the  soldiers' 
musket.  This  method  of  forming  the  fire-arm 
appears  to  me  so  advantageous  when  repairs  become 
necessary  that  I  have  thought  it  my  duty  not  only 
to  mention  to  you  the  progress  of  this  artist  but 
to  purchase  and  send  you  a  half  dozen  of  his  officers' 
fusils.  They  are  packed  in  a  box  marked  TI  no. 
36,  are  sent  to  Havre,  from  whence  they  shall  be 
forwarded  to  New  York.  The  barrels  and  furni- 
ture are  to  their  stocks,  to  protect  the  warping  of 
the  wood.  The  locks  are  in  pieces.  You  will  find 
them,  tools  for  putting  them  together,  also  a  single 
specimen  of  his  soldiers'  lock.  He  formerly  told 
me,  and  still  tells  me,  that  he  will  be  able,  after  a 
while,  to  furnish  them  cheaper  than  the  common 
musket  of  the  same  quality,  but  at  first  they 
will  not  be  so  cheap  in  the  first  cost  though  econ- 
omy in  repairs  will  make  them  so  in  the  end.  He 
cannot  tell  me  exactly  at  what  price  he  can  furnish 
them,  nor  will  he  be  able  immediately  to  furnish 
any  great  quantity  annually;  but  with  the  aid 
of  the  government  he  expects  to  enlarge  his  estab- 
lishment greatly. 

If  the  situation  of  the  finances  of  this  country 
should  oblige  the  government  to  abandon  him  he 
would  prefer  removing  with  all  his  people  and 
implements  to  America,  if  we  should  desire  to 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  69 


establish  such  a  manufacture,  and  he  would  expect 
our  government  to  take  all  his  implements  on 
their  own  account  on  what  they  have  cost  him. 
He  talks  of  about  3,000  guineas.  I  trouble  you 
with  these  details  and  with  the  samples:  1.  That 
you  may  give  the  idea  of  such  an  improvement 
to  our  own  workmen,  if  you  think  it  might  answer 
any  good  end.  2.  That  all  the  arms  he  shall 
have  for  sale  may  be  engaged  for  our  government 
if  he  continues  here  and  you  think  it  important 
to  engage  them.  That  you  may  consider  and  do 
me  the  honor  of  communicating  your  determi- 
nation, whether  in  the  event  of  his  establishment 
being  abandoned  by  this  government,  it  might  be 
thought  worth  while  to  transfer  it  to  the  United 
States  on  conditions  somewhat  like  those  he  has 
talked  of.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments 
of  the  most  perfect  esteem  and  respect,  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  humble  servant. 


TO  WILLIAM  BINGHAM. 

Paris,  September  25,  1789. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  April  16  came  to  my 
hands  but  a  few  days  ago  and  found  me  much 
occupied  with  preparations  for  my  visit  to  America 
on  which  I  set  out  to-morrow.  It  was  not  till 
yesterday,  therefore,  that  I  could  go  to  la  Muette 
where  the  shops  are  established  for  making  the 
carding  and  spinning  apparatus.    I  enclose  you 


lo  Jefferson's  Works 


a  note  from  Mr.  Milne  who  is  at  the  head  of  the 
work.  To  the  details  contained  in  that  I  need 
only  add  that  a  complete  set  of  machines  can  be 
delivered  within  five  weeks  from  the  date  of  the 
order.  I  say  nothing  about  models  of  them  because 
they  would  cost  near  as  much  as  machines  and 
would  be  much  less  perfect.  On  this  view  of  the 
matter  you  will  be  able  to  give  your  orders  either 
for  one  of  each  kind  of  machine  or  for  a  complete 
set  which  would  comprehend  four  of  the  spinning 
machines  because  one  of  the  other  kinds  employs 
fully  four  of  that.  Should  you  desire  only  one 
of  each  kind  it  will  cost  less  than  half  of  the  sum 
named  in  the  memorandum.  Mr.  Short,  who 
remains  here  during  my  absence,  will  receive  and 
execute  any  order  you  will  be  pleased  to  give; 
but  as  the  sum  to  be  paid  is  considerable  it  would 
be  necessary  to  him  to  be  furnished  with  it.  One- 
half  is  to  be  paid  in  advance  and  the  other  half  after 
a  very  short  interval. 

I  shall  be  happy  on  my  return  to  render  every 
service  I  can  to  the  society  for  encouraging  manu- 
factures. I  have  not  yet  been  honored  with  the 
commands  of  Mrs.  Bingham  announced  in  your 
letter.  I  can  only,  therefore,  at  this  moment,  give 
her  assurances  of  my  readiness  to  serve  her  and 
add  to  yourself  those  sentiments  of  esteem  and 
respect  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  7* 


TO  THE  BARON  DE  GEISMER. 

Paris,  November  20,  1789. 

You  have  had  great  reason,  my  dear  Sir,  to 
wonder  that  you  have  been  so  long  receiving  an 
answer  to  your  request  relative  to  the  drawing  of 
a  cabriolet  and  phaeton.  Your  object  was  to 
have  such  drawings  as  that  a  workman  could  work 
by  them.  A  painter's  eye  draught  would  not 
have  answered  this  purpose,  and,  indeed,  to  be  sure 
of  having  them  done  with  the  accuracy  necessary 
to  guide  a  workman,  I  could  depend  on  nobody 
but  myself.  But  the  work  was  to  be  done  prin- 
cipally in  an  open  court  and  there  came  on  between 
two  and  three  months  of  such  intense  cold  as 
rendered  this  impossible.  Since  the  season  has 
become  milder  I  have  devoted  such  little  scraps 
of  time  to  this  object  as  I  was  master  of,  and  I  now 
enclose  you  the  drawings.  They  are  made  with 
such  scrupulous  exactness  in  every  part  that  your 
workman  may  safely  rely  on  them.  I  must  except 
from  this  the  drawing  of  the  carriage — la  train — 
of  the  phaeton.  I  took  less  pains  about  this  because 
I  did  not  like  it.  They  make  light  crans-necks 
which  are  preferable.  This  drawing  was  made 
for  the  sake  of  the  body — la  caisse — the  circular 
ribs  of  that  are  round  rods  of  iron  about  a  half 
inch  diameter.  If  you  would  have  the  body  of 
the  cabriolet  higher  it  is  made  so  by  raising  the 


7 2  Jefferson's  Works 


lock  between  the  shaft  and  axle,  or  by  putting  in 


its  place  an  iron  in  this  form, 


I  must  return  you  many  thanks  for  your  very 
great  attentions    ******     *     *     *  * 

Our  late  informations  from  America  are  that  our 
new  Constitution  will  begin  [in]  March  and  with  an 
almost  universal  approbation.  In  order  to  recon- 
cile those  who  still  remain  opposed  to  it  a  declaration 
of  rights  will  be  added.  General  Washington  will 
undoubtedly  be  President.  I  have  asked  leave  to 
pay  a  short  visit  to  my  own  country.  I  expect 
to  go  out  in  the  ensuing  spring  and  to  return  in 
autumn.  I  shall  pass  two  months  at  Monticello. 
The  revolution  in  this  country — for  such  we  may 
call  it — is  going  on  smoothly  and  will,  I  think,  end  in 
rendering  the  nation  more  free  and  more  powerful. 
Their  public  stocks  have  been  rising  slowly  but 
steadily  ever  since  the  accession  of  Mr.  Necker. 

I  forget  whether  I  mentioned  to  you  that  my 
wines  from  Hocheim  succeed  to  admiration.  I 
enclose  you  a  pretty  little  popular  tune  which  will 
amuse  you  for  a  day  or  so. 

I  am,  with  the  most  perfect  esteem  and  attach- 
ment, dear  Sir,  your  sincere  friend  and  humble 
servant. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  73 


TO  DAVID  RITTENHOUSE. 

New  York,  June  12,  1790. 

Dear  Sir, — I  know  not  what  apology  to  make 
for  the  trouble  I  am  about  to  give  you.  I  am  sure 
I  must  call  your  public  spirit  in  aid  of  your  private 
friendship  to  me. 

You  will  see  by  the  head  of  the  enclosed  report 
that  the  House  of  Representatives  have  instructed 
me  to  lay  before  them  a  plan  for  establishing  uniform 
weights,  measures  and  coins.  Five  and  twenty 
years  ago  I  should  have  undertaken  such  a  task 
with  pleasure  because  the  sciences  on  which  it  rests 
were  then  familiar  to  my  mind  and  the  delight  of 
it.  But  taken  from  them  through  so  great  a 
length  of  time  and  forced  by  circumstances  into 
contemplations  of  a  very  different  nature  and 
much  less  pleasing,  I  have  grown  rusty  in  my 
former  duties.  To  render  me  more  unequal  to 
the  task  it  comes  on  me  in  the  moment  when  I 
am  separated  from  all  my  books  and  papers,  which 
had  been  left  in  Paris  and  Virginia;  and  this  place 
yields  fewer  resources  in  the  way  of  books  than 
could  have  been  imagined.  Thus  situated  I  have 
done  what  I  could  toward  fulfilling  the  object  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  and  I  think  myself 
happy  in  having  such  a  resource  as  your  friendship 
and  your  learning  to  correct  what  I  have  prepared 
for  them.  The  necessity  I  am  under  must  be  my 
apology.    It  is  desirable  for  the  public  that  the 


74  Jefferson's  Works 


plan  should  be  free  from  errors;  it  is  desirable  for 
me  that  they  should  be  corrected  privately  by  a 
friend  rather  than  before  the  world  at  large  by  the 
unfeeling  hand  of  criticism. 

Do  then,  my  dear  Sir,  read  it  over  with  all  that 
attention  of  which  you  are  so  much  the  master 
and  correct  with  severity  everything  you  find  in 
it  which  is  not  mathematically  just,  and  while  I 
ask  your  attention  to  every  part  of  it  I  will  make 
some  notes  on  particular  things.  It  was  not  till 
I  had  got  through  the  work  that  I  was  able  to  get  a 
sight  of  Whitehurst's  on  the  same  subject.  Mr. 
Madison  procured  it  for  me  from  a  library  in  Phila- 
delphia, but  on  perusal  of  it  his  plan  of  two  pendulums 
appeared  to  me  on  the  whole  less  eligible  than 
Leslie's  of  the  vibrating  rod.  How  has  it  been 
inferred  that  Sir  Isaac  Newton's  calculation  of  the 
length  of  the  pendulum  for  the  latitude  of  London 
is  39.2  inches?  From  his  general  table  in  the 
Principia,  book  3,  I  deduce  39.1682.  Am  I  wrong? 
If  so,  I  may  be  equally  wrong  in  the  calculation 
of  39.1285  miles  for  latitude  3 8°,  in  which  an  error 
would  be  fundamentally  important,  and,  therefore, 
I  ask  your  peculiar  attention  to  that.  What  do 
you  think  of  the  vibrating  rod?  Is  it  not  clear 
of  some  objections  which  lie  against  the  pendulum? 
and  is  it  liable  to  any  of  which  that  is  clear?  and 
which  is  the  best  on  the  whole?  I  am  too  little 
familiar  with  the  mechanism  of  the  clock  to  know 
how  the  rod  can  be  adapted  to  a  machinery  which 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  75 


shall  maintain  and  count  its  vibrations,  without 
accelerating  them  by  its  power  or  retarding  them 
by  its  friction,  in  short,  which  shall  leave  the  rod 
free  to  make  its  vibrations  uninfluenced  by  any 
circumstance  but  its  own  length.  On  this  point 
no  man  in  the  world  can  judge  or  contrive  better 
than  yourself.  On  this,  then,  and  all  the  other 
points  of  the  report,  pray  give  me  the  full  benefit 
of  your  assistance.  In  the  trouble  I  am  giving 
you  I  feel  it  as  a  circumstance  of  additional  mis- 
fortune that  I  am  pressed  in  time.  The  session 
of  Congress  is  drawing  to  a  close.  Nothing  will 
keep  them  together  after  the  money  bills  are  got 
through,  and  this  will  be  pretty  soon.  I  am  obliged, 
therefore,  to  ask  your  immediate  attention  to  this 
subject  as  I  must  give  in  the  report  before  they 
rise.  I  suppose  they  will  have  it  printed  for  con- 
sideration to  be  taken  up  at  their  next  meeting. 

I  will  not  weary  you  with  apologies  though  I 
feel  powerfully  the  necessity  of  them.  I  am,  in 
all  times  and  places,  your  sincere  friend  and  hvlmble 
servant. 


TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY 
(ALEXANDER  HAMILTON) 

Philadelphia,  June  25,  1791. 
Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  8th  inst.  could  only  be 
received  on  my  return  here  and  I  have  this  morning 
been  considering  its  contents.    I  think  with  you 


76 


Jefferson's  Works 


that  it  will  be  interesting  to  receive  from  different 
countries  the  details  it  enumerates.  Some  of  these 
I  am  already  in  a  regular  course  of  receiving.  Others 
*  *  *  *  wen  executed  will  scarcely  need  to  be 
repeated.  As  to  these  I  already  possess  what  may 
answer  your  views  in  part.  I  must  therefore  give 
you  the  trouble  to  call  on  me  in  some  *  *  *  * 
in  order  that  after  seeing  what  I  possess  you  may 
decide  on  the  proper  supplement.  I  think  it 
advisable  not  to  trouble  gentlemen  abroad  with 
sending  what  we  have  already,  because  the  less 
we  give  them  to  do  the  more  secure  we  shall  be 
of  having  it  done.  I  am,  with  most  respectful 
esteem,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most 
humble  servant. 


TO  T.  M.  RANDOLPH. 

Philadelphia,  July  3,  1791. 
Dear  Sir, — I  wrote  to  Maria  this  day  sennight 
and  to  Martha  three  days  before,  to  wit,  June  23. 
In  this  letter  I  asked  information  to  be  obtained 
from  Colonel  Lewis  relative  to  my  tobacco  of  which 
I  had  heard  nothing.  But  having  received  the 
day  after  a  letter  from  him  giving  me  full  infor- 
mation, I  mentioned  in  mine  to  Maria  that  no  notice 
should  be  taken  of  my  desire  expressed  in  the  letter 
to  her  sister ;  lest  any  accident  should  have  happened 
to  the  letter  to  Maria  I  repeat  here  that  no  enquiry 
of  Colonel  Lewis  is  necessary. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  77 


The  President  is  not  yet  arrived,  but  we  expect 
him  the  day  after  to-rnorrow.  He  has  probably  pro- 
tracted his  journey  so  as  to  avoid  the  ceremonies 
of  to-morrow.  We  expect  daily  to  hear  the  events 
of  the  expedition  under  General  Scott  into  the 
Indian  country.  Perhaps  you  will  hear  it  sooner 
than  we  shall.  Having  nothing  to  communicate 
in  the  line  of  public  news  I  will  state  something 
personal.  You  will  observe  by  the  enclosed  and 
preceding  papers  that  I  am  mentioned  on  the 
subject  of  Paine 's  pamphlet  on  the  Rights  of  Man; 
and  you  will  have  seen  a  note  of  mine  prefixed  to 
that  pamphlet  whence  it  has  been  inferred  that 
I  furnished  the  pamphlet  to  the  printer  and  pro- 
cured its  publication.  This  is  not  true.  The  fact  was 
this :  Mr.  Beckley  had  the  only  copy  of  that  pamphlet 
in  town.  He  lent  it  to  Mr.  Madison,  who  lent  it 
to  me  under  the  injunction  to  return  it  to  Mr. 
Beckley  within  the  day.  Beckley  came  for  it 
before  I  had  finished  reading  it  and  desired  as  soon 
as  I  had  done  I  would  send  it  to  a  Mr.  Jonathan 
B.  Smith  whose  brother  was  to  reprint  it.  Being 
an  utter  stranger  to  Mr.  J.  B.  Smith  I  explained 
to  him  in  a  note  that  I  sent  the  pamphlet  to  him 
by  order  of  Mr.  Beckley,  and  to  take  off  somewhat 
of  the  dryness  of  the  note  I  added  that  I  was  glad 
to  find  it  was  to  be  reprinted  here,  etc.,  as  you  have 
seen  in  the  printed  note.  I  thought  so  little  of 
this  note  that  I  did  not  even  retain  a  copy  of  it; 
and  without  the  least  information  or  suspicion  that 


78  Jefferson's  Works 


it  would  be  published,  out  it  comes  the  next  week 
at  the  head  of  the  pamphlet.  I  knew  immediately 
that  it  would  give  displeasure  to  some  gentlemen 
just  by  the  chair  of  government  who  were  in  senti- 
ment with  Burke  and  as  much  opposed  to  the 
sentiments  of  Paine. 

I  could  not  disavow  my  note,  because  I  had 
written  it.  I  could  not  disavow  my  approbation 
of  the  pamphlet,  because  I  was  fully  in  sentiment 
with  it,  and  it  would  have  been  trifling  to  have 
disavowed  merely  the  publication  of  the  note 
approving  at  the  same  time  of  the  pamphlet.  I 
determined,  therefore,  to  be  utterly  silent  except 
so  far  as  verbal  explanations  could  be  made. 

The  Vice-President,  who  is  at  Boston,  took  up 
the  cudgels  under  the  name  of  Publicola.  He  is 
in  turn  assailed  by  a  host  of  republican  champions. 
I  think  it  probable  he  will  be  aided  by  some  of  his 
compeers,  but,  more  cautious  than  he,  they  will 
mask  themselves  better.  For  my  part  I  am  deter- 
mined to  let  them  write  and  wrangle  as  they  please 
without  intermeddling  in  word  or  deed. 

I  am  unable  as  yet  to  fix  a  time  for  my  trip  to 
Virginia.  It  must  depend  on  the  movements  of 
the  President.  I  foresee  nothing  in  the  public 
affairs  which  threatens  impediment.  Present  me 
affectionately  to  my  daughters,  and  believe  me  to 
be,  dear  Sir,  yours  sincerely. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  79 


TO  JAMES  MADISON. 

Philadelphia,  July  21,  1791. 
My  dear  Sir, — Your  favors  of  July  10  and  13 
have  been  duly  received  and  I  now  return  the  pam- 
phlet enclosed  in  the  latter  with  thanks  for  the 
perusal.  The  author  has  the  appearance  of  knowing 
better  what  has  passed  in  England  than  in  America. 
As  to  the  latter,  to  be  sure,  he  has  been  ignorant 
enough.  I  am  sincerely  sorry  that  Freneau  has 
declined  coming  here.  Though  the  printing  business 
be  sufficiently  full  here,  yet  I  think  he  would  have 
set  out  on  such  advantageous  ground  as  to  have 
been  sure  of  success.  His  own  genius  in  the  first 
place  is  so  superior  to  that  of  his  competitors.  I 
should  have  given  him  the  perusal  of  all  my  letters 
of  foreign  intelligence  and  all  foreign  newspapers; 
the  publication  of  all  proclamations  and  other 
public  notices  within  my  department  and  the 
printing  of  the  laws,  which,  added  to  his  salary, 
would  have  been  a  considerable  aid.  Besides  this, 
Fenno's  being  the  only  weekly  or  semi- weekly 
newspaper  and  under  general  condemnation  for 
its  toryism  and  its  incessant  efforts  to  overturn 
the  government,  Freneau  would  have  found  that 
ground  as  good  as  unoccupied.  P***e  will  not 
be  arppointed  to  the  place  I  had  recommended  him 
for.  I  have  a  letter  from  Mazzei  asking  informa- 
tion of  his  affairs.  I  must,  therefore,  ask  from  you 
the  letter  you  were  to  write  me  as  to  Dohrman;  he 


So  Jefferson's  Works 


desires  to  be  affectionately  remembered  to  you. 
He  is  declared,  with  the  consent  of  the  Diet,  charge 
des  affaires  of  the  King  of  the  nation. 

No  news  yet  from  General  Scott.  Mr.  Randolph 
writes  me  that  our  harvest  is  safely  in,  in  general. 
That  the  quantity  will  be  one-half  as  much  again 
as  the  acre  usually  yields  and  the  quality  of  first 
rate.  The  price  offered  is  5/6  at  Richmond. 
Tobacco  there  is  still  18  /  to  20/.  I  have  European 
letters  and  papers  to  the  8th  of  May.  The  Empress 
has  notified  the  English  factory  in  Russia  that  the 
peace  between  her  and  Great  Britain  is  likely  to 
be  broken,  but  knowing  their  good  conduct  they 
shall  be  welcome  to  remain  in  her  dominions.  She 
pays  a  compliment  to  the  British  nation  and  says 
she  considers  it  only  a  war  with  their  ministers. 
Denmark  has  made  a  warm  offer  of  mediating  alone. 
Prussia  has  notified  the  Porte  that  they  are  free 
to  conclude  a  peace  with  Russia  without  any  medi- 
ation and  that  it  will  not  be  disagreeable  to  them. 
But  the  Porte  has  refused  to  relinquish  the  mediation 
of  Prussia  and  England,  and  has  also  declined 
accepting  that  offered  by  Spain.  France  is  going 
on  steadily  with  its  work.  On  the  7th  of  May  a 
report  of  a  committee  was  given  in  to  the  assembly 
confirming  their  former  plan  as  to  the  mode  of  the 
settling  the  constitution  of  their  colonies,  adding 
further  that  the  colonies  should  have  the  initiative 
(exclusively)  as  to  the  condition  of  the  people  of 
color,  and  that  each  colony  should  send  deputies 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  81 

to  the  French  port  of  St.  Martins  to  a  Congress 
which  should  propose  a  general  form  of  constitution. 
This  was  ordered  to  be  printed  and  taken  up  at  a 
future  day,  and  there  was  some  symptom  of  a 
disposition  in  the  assembly  to  overrule  the  report, 
so  far  as  it  is  related  to  the  condition  of  people 
of  color.  Comparing  the  date  of  this  with  the  news 
said  by  the  gazettes  to  have  arrived  at  St.  Domingo 
July  1  st  I  cannot  help  suspending  my  belief  of  the 
latter. 

I  hope  your  health  is  better  established.  Your 
friends  here  anxiously  enquire  after  it.  Your  letters 
now,  therefore,  are  doubly  interesting  and  very 
feelingly  so  to,  dear  Sir,  your  affectionate  friend 
and  servant. 


TO  GOVERNOR  WILLIAM  BLOUNT. 

Philadelphia,  August  12,  1791. 

Sir, — Your  letter  of  July  17th  to  General  Knox 
having  been  referred  to  me  by  the  President  as 
relating  to  a  subject  merely  civil,  I  have  the  pleasure 
to  inform  you  of  his  consent  to  the  absence  you 
there  ask  from  the  15  th  of  September  to  the  20th 
of  November.  As  it  imports  highly  to  the  people 
within  your  government  to  conform  to  the  articles 
of  the  treaty  against  hunting  or  settling  on  the 
Indian  lands,  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  see  the 
necessity  of  duly  promulgating  before  your  departure 

VOL  XIX  6 


Jefferson's  Works 


these  and  such  other  parts  of  the  treaty  as  are 
immediately  interesting  to  them. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  occasion  of  acknowledging 
the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  July  17  addressed  to 
myself,  and  of  expressing  my  anxiety  to  receive 
the  ulterior  information  on  the  subject  of  the  lands 
of  the  United  States  which  you  are  so  good  as  to 
promise  me.  Among  other  things  it  will  be  inter- 
esting to  know  whereabouts  the  southern  boundary 
of  North  Carolina  will  be  intersected  by  the  north 
line  of  the  Cherokees  which  is  to  go  on  till  it  meets 
the  line  crossing  Houlston.  Also  to  know  what 
and  where  is  Campbell's  line  spoken  in  the  treaties 
of  Hoylston  and  Hopwell,  so  that  they  may  be 
delineated  on  the  map. 

I  enclose  you  a  paragraph  from  a  newspaper  on 
the  subject  of  a  Zackariah  Coxe  and  others  which 
we  hope  to  be  without  foundation. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  esteem  and 
respect,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 


TO  GEORGE  HAMMOND 
(BRITISH  MINISTER). 

Philadelphia,  December  15,  1791. 
Sir, — I  am  to  acknowledge  the  honor  of  your 
letter  of  November  30  and  to  express  the  satis- 
faction with  which  we  learn  that  you  are  instructed 
to  discuss  with  us  the  measures  which  reason  and 
practicability  may  dictate  for  giving  effect  to  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  83 


stipulations  of  our  treaty  yet  remaining  to  be 
executed.  I  can  assure  you,  on  the  part  of  the 
United  States,  of  every  disposition  to  lessen  difficulties 
by  passing  over  whatever  is  of  smaller  concern  and 
insisting  on  those  matters  only  which  either  justice 
to  individuals  or  public  policy  renders  indispensable. 
And  in  order  to  simplify  our  discussions  by  defining 
precisely  their  objects  I  have  the  honor  to  propose 
that  we  shall  begin  by  specifying  on  each  side  the 
particular  acts  which  each  considers  to  have  been 
done  by  the  other  in  contravention  of  the  treaty. 
I  shall  set  the  example. 

The  provisional  and  definitive  treaties  in  their 
vii  article  stipulated  that  ' 'his  British  Majesty 
should,  with  all  convenient  speed,  and  without 
causing  any  destruction,  or  carrying  away  any 
negroes  or  other  property  of  the  American  inhab- 
itants, withdraw  all  his  armies,  garrisons  and  fleets 
from  the  said  United  States  and  from  every  port, 
place  and  harbor  within  the  same." 

But  1.  The  British  garrisons  were  not  with- 
drawn with  all  convenient  speed,  nor  have  they 
yet  been  withdrawn  from 

Michillimachinac,  on  Lake  Michigan. 

Detroit,  on  Lake  Erie. 

Niagara  and  Oswego,  on  Lake  Ontario 

Oswegatchie,  on  the  river  St.  Lawrence. 

Point  au  fer  and  Dutchman's  Point,  on  Lake 
Champlain. 

2.  The  British  officers  have  undertaken  to  exer- 


84 


Jefferson's  Works 


cise  a  jurisdiction  over  the  country  and  inhabitants 
in  the  vicinities  of  the  forts;  and 

3.  They  have  excluded  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States  from  navigating  even  on  our  side  of  the 
middle  line  of  the  rivers  and  lakes  established  as 
the  boundary  between  the  two  nations. 

By  these  proceedings  we  have  been  intercepted 
entirely  from  the  commerce  of  furs  with  the  Indians 
to  the  northward,  a  commerce  which  had  ever 
been  of  great  importance  to  the  United  States,  not 
only  for  its  intrinsic  value  but  as  it  was  a  means 
of  cherishing  peace  with  those  Indians  and  of 
superseding  the  necessity  of  that  expensive  war- 
fare we  have  been  obliged  to  carry  on  with  them, 
during  the  time  that  those  posts  have  been  in  other 
hands. 

On  withdrawing  the  troops  from  New  York, 
1.  A  large  embarkation  of  negroes,  of  the  property 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States,  took  place, 
before  the  commissioners,  on  our  part,  for  inspecting 
and  superintending  embarkations  had  arrived  there, 
and  without  any  account  ever  rendered  thereof. 

2.  Near  three  thousand  others  were  publicly 
carried  away  by  the  avowed  order  of  the  British 
commanding  officer,  and  under  the  view  and  against 
the  remonstrance  of  our  commissioners. 

3.  A  very  general  number  were  carried  off  in 
private  vessels,  if  not  by  express  permission,  yet 
certainly  without  opposition  on  the  part  of  the 
commanding  officer,  who  alone  had  the  means  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  85 


preventing  it,  and  without  admitting  the  inspection 
of  the  American  commissioners;  and 

4.  Of  other  species  of  property  carried  away, 
the  commanding  officer  permitted  no  examination 
at  all.  In  support  of  these  facts  I  have  the  honor 
to  enclose  you  documents,1  the  list  of  which  will  be 
subjoined;  and  in  addition  to  them,  I  beg  leave  to 
refer  to  a  roll,  signed  by  the  joint  commissioners 
and  delivered  to  your  commanding  officer  for  trans- 
mission to  his  court,  containing  a  description  of 
the  negroes  publicly  carried  away  by  his  order  as 
before  mentioned,  with  a  copy  of  which  you  have 
doubtless  been  furnished. 

A  difference  of  opinion,  too,  having  arisen  as  to 
the  river  intended  by  the  plenipotentiaries,  to  be 
the  boundary  between  us  and  the  dominion  of 
Great  Britain,  and  by  them  called  the  St.  Croix, 
which  name,  it  seems,  is  given  to  two  different 
rivers,  the  ascertaining  of  this  point  becomes  a 
matter  of  present  urgency.    It  has  therefore  been 

1  Documents  referred  to  and  enclosed : 

Extract  of  a  letter  of  May  12,  1783,  from  Sir  Guy  Carleton  to 
General  Washington. 

Letter  of  May  29,  1783,  from  Mr.  Morgan. 

From  Sir  G.  Carleton  to  the  American  Commissioners. 

Remonstrance  of  June  9,  1783,  from  the  American  Commissioners  to 
Sir  Guy  Carleton. 

Letter  of  June  14,  1783,  from  the  American  Commissioners  to 
General  Washington. 

Extract  of  a  remonstrance  of  June  17,  1783,  from  the  American 
Commissioners  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton. 

Letter  of  Jan.  18,  1784,  from  the  American  Commissioners  to  General 
Washington. 


Jefferson's  Works 


the  subject  of  applications  from  us  to  the  govern- 
ment of  Great  Britain. 

There  are  other  smaller  matters  between  the  two 
nations  which  remain  to  be  adjusted.  But  I  think 
it  would  be  better  to  refer  these  for  settlement 
through  the  ordinary  channels  of  our  ministers 
than  to  embargo  the  present  important  discussions 
with  them.  They  can  never  be  obstacles  to  friend- 
ship and  harmony. 

Permit  me  now,  Sir,  to  ask  from  you  a  specification 
of  the  particular  acts,  which,  being  considered  by 
his  British  Majesty  as  a  non-compliance  on  our 
part  with  engagements  contained  in  the  iv,  v,  and 
vi  articles  of  the  treaty,  induced  him  to  suspend 
the  execution  of  the  vii  and  render  a  separate 
discussion  of  them  inadmissible. 

And  accept  assurances  of  the  high  respect  and 
esteem  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  January  10,  1792. 

The  Secretary  of  State  having  received  information 
that  the  merchants  and  merchandize  of  the  United 
States  were  subject  in  Copenhagen  and  other  points 
in  Denmark  to  considerable  extra  duties  from 
which  they  might  be  released  by  the  presence  of 
a  consul  there, 

Reports  to  the  President  of  the  United  States: 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  87 


that  it  would  be  expedient  to  have  a  consul  to  be 
a  resident  in  the  port  of  Copenhagen.  That  he 
has  not  been  able  to  find  that  there  is  any  citizen 
of  the  United  States  residing  there.  That  there  is 
a  certain  Hans  Rudolph  Saabye,  a  Danish  subject 
and  merchant  of  that  place,  of  good  character,  of 
wealth  and  distinction  and  well  qualified  and  dis- 
posed to  act  for  the  United  States,  who  would 
probably  accept  the  commission  of  consul,  but 
that  that  of  vice-consul  hitherto  given  by  the 
President  to  foreigners  in  ports  where  there  was 
no  proper  American  citizen,  would  probably  not 
be  accepted,  because  in  this,  as  in  some  other  ports 
of  Europe,  usage  has  established  it  as  a  subordinate 
grade. 

And  that  he  is  therefore  of  opinion  that  the  said 
Hans  Rudolph  Saabye  should  be  nominated  consul 
of  the  United  States  of  America  for  the  port  of 
Copenhagen  and  such  other  places  within  the 
allegiance  of  his  Danish  Majesty  as  shall  be  nearer 
to  the  said  port  than  to  the  residence  of  any  other 
consul  or  vice-consul  of  the  United  States  withi?; 
the  same  allegiance. 


TO  PETER  CHARLES  L 'ENFANT. 

Philadelphia,  February  27,  1792. 
Sir, — From  your  letter  received  yesterday  in 
answer  to  my  last  and  your  declaration  in  conversa- 
tion with  Mr.  Lear,  it  is  understood  that  you  abso- 


88  Jefferson's  Works 


lutely  decline  acting  tinder  the  authority  of  the 
present  commissioners.  If  this  understanding  of 
your  meaning  be  right,  I  am  instructed  by  the 
President  to  inform  you  that,  notwithstanding  the 
desire  he  has  entertained  to  preserve  your  agency 
in  the  business,  the  condition  upon  which  it  is  to 
be  done  is  inadmissible  and  your  services  must 
be  at  an  end.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  humble  servant. 


TO  THOMAS  JOHNSON,   DAVID  STUART  AND 
DANIEL  CARROLL. 

Philadelphia,  March  8,  1792. 

Dear  Sirs, — I  received  your  favor  of  February 
29  the  day  after  I  had  written  a  public  letter  to 
the  commissioners  which  touched  on  some  of  the 
subjects  of  yours.  I  may  say  in  this  private  letter 
what  could  not  be  so  well  said  in  a  public  one  that 
there  never  was  a  moment's  doubt  about  the  parting 
with  Major  L 'Enfant  rather  than  with  a  single 
commissioner.  I  must  correct  an  error  in  my 
public  letter.  I  said  there  that  the  engraving 
would  be  done  in  three  or  four  weeks;  this  idea 
had  been  given,  but  on  further  enquiry  I  find  we 
cannot  have  it  these  two  months.  You  formerly 
hinted  the  expectancy  of  bringing  the  navigable 
canal  from  the  little  falls  down  to  Washington. 
The  President  thinks  the  practicability  of  this 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  89 


should  be  properly  examined  into,  as  it  would 
undoubtedly  be  useful. 

In  my  public  letter  I  sent  you  the  outlines  of 
a  proposed  loan.  I  now  enclose  you  a  calculation 
somewhat  on  the  plan  of  yours.  I  think  there  is 
no  doubt  but  that  the  lots  will  sell  better  after  the 
employment  of  the  money  than  before  it.  Con- 
sequently that  it  is  better  to  raise  money  by  a 
loan  and  to  sell  for  repayment  after  that  money 
shall  have  been  employed  to  raise  the  value  of 
what  is  to  be  sold.  The  mortgages  on  this  plan 
are  put  on  the  best  footing  possible.  No  doubt  it 
will  be  well  to  be  making  sales  for  repayment  as 
fast  as  they  may  be  advantageously  made,  even 
before  the  lapse  of  the  eight  years.  We  have 
questioned  Mr.  Ellicot  very  particularly  whether 
the  plan  now  in  hand  is  exact.  He  says  the  original 
one  mixed  conjecture  with  fact;  but  that  the 
conjectural  parts  are  since  ascertained  by  exact 
survey  and  that  this  plan  is  corrected  from  the 
survey  and  may  be  relied  on  to  the  utmost  minute- 
ness. We  see  in  fact  that  some  whole  squares  of 
lots  in  the  original  plan  are  occupied  by  the  channel 
of  the  creek  in  the  corrected  one.  I  fear  your  other 
apprehension  is  better  founded,  to  wit:  that  the 
avenues  are  made  to  converge  to  the  ends  of  a 
building  of  supposed  extent,  that  the  building  may 
very  possibly  be  of  less  extent,  and  consequently 
not  reach  the  points  of  view  created  for  its  use. 
I  believe  the  only  remedy  is  acquiescence  for  the 


9°  Jefferson's  Works 


present  and  hope  for  the  future  that  our  building 
may  extend  with  the  fortunes  of  our  govern- 
ment. The  angular  buildings  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  avenues  may  probably  be  offensive  to 
the  eye,  if  not  well  managed.  I  have  seen  this 
deformity  obviated  by  terminating  the  house  at 
that  end  with  a  bow  window,  with  a  semicircular 
portico  and  with  other  fancies.  Should  not  rows 
of  trees  in  the  avenues  and  tracts  be  an  object  of 
early  attention? 

Major  L 'Enfant  had  no  plans  prepared  for  the 
Capitol  or  Government  House.  He  said  he  had 
them  in  his  head.  I  do  not  believe  he  will  produce 
them  for  concurrence.  On  speaking  with  the  Presi- 
dent on  Mr.  Stewart  of  Baltimore's  idea  of  facing 
the  buildings  with  stone  of  different  colors,  he 
seemed  rather  to  question  whether  from  the  water- 
table,  perhaps  from  the  ground  upwards.,  brick 
facings  with  stone  ornaments  would  not  have  a 
better  effect,  but  he  does  not  decide  this.  The 
remains  of  antiquity  in  Europe  prove  brick  more 
durable  than  stone.  The  Roman  brick  appears  in 
these  remains  to  have  been  22  inches  long,  11 
inches  wide  and  2  inches  or  2\  inches  thick.  The 
grain  is  as  fine  as  that  of  our  best  earthenware. 
Before  I  conclude  I  will  mention  that  in  bringing 
the  canal  from  the  little  falls  into  the  city  it  is 
worth  while  to  consider  whether  it  should  not  be 
delivered  into  the  canal  of  the  Tyber  to  ensure  the 
due  cleansing  of  that  by  its  current.    I  am  with 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  91 


great  and  sincere  esteem,  dear  Sirs,  your  friend  and 
servant. 

P.  S.  You  seem  to  suppose  the  commissioners 
liable  in  their  private  fortunes  on  the  plan  of  the 
loan  you  had  seen.  Ours  is  certainly  clear  on  that. 
In  its  plan  nothing  could  make  the  commissioners 
liable  but  fraud,  or  such  gross  negligence  as  is  as 
impossible  as  fraud,  and  then,  I  presume,  it  could 
only  be  each  for  his  own  individual  act. 


Dates  of 
instalments. 


1792. 

May 

i5-  • 

Nov. 

i5- 

1793- 

May 

i5-  • 

Nov. 

i5-  • 

1794. 

May 

iS- 

Nov. 

iS-  • 

1795- 

May 

iS-  • 

Nov. 

i5-  • 

1796. 

May 

iS  - 

Nov. 

i5- 

1797. 

May 

iS-  • 

Nov. 

iS-  • 

1798. 

May 

iS- 

Nov. 

iS- 

1799. 

May 

iS- 

Nov. 

iS-  ■ 

1800. 

May 

i5-  • 

Amount  of 

each 
instalment. 


Aggregate 
sum  of  the 
interest  of 
which  is  to 
be  deduct- 
ed from 
each  pay- 
ment. 


Amount  of 
the  inter- 
est to  be 
deducted 
from  each 
instalment 


Sum 
actually  re- 
ceived by 

the 
borrowers. 


Sums  of 
interest  to  be 
paid  by  sales  or 
otherwise. 


$50,000 
50,000 
100,000 
100,000 
100,000 
100,000 


$50 
IOO 
200 
300 
400 


OOO 
OOO 

OOO 
OOO 
OOO 


500 

OOO 
OOO 
OOO 
OOO 


$50 
48 

97 
94 
9i 

88 


OOO 

500 

OOO 
OOO 
OOO 
OOO 


$500,000 
165,000 


$468,500 


$665,000 


$15,000 
1 5,000 
15,000 
15,000 
15,000 
15,000 
15,000 
15,000 

15,000 

15,000 
15,000 


$165,000 


92  Jefferson's  Works 


It  appears  from  the  above  that  the  commissioner© 
will  receive  $468,500,  and  have  to  pay  after  four 
considerable  intervals  $665,000.  Now  468,000  :  665- 
000  ::  100  :  142,  that  is  for  every  100  dollars  they 
receive  they  will  have  to  pay  in  the  long  run  142 
dollars,  but  we  may  certainly  hope  that  the  effect 
of  the  $468,000,  if  judiciously  employed,  will  be 
to  raise  the  value  of  the  lots  more  than  .42  per  cent. 

Suppose  the  interest,  after  1794,  is  kept  down 
by  the  sale  of  lots  to  raise  it,  100  lots  a  year,  at 
$300  each,  will  pay  the  annual  interest  of  $30,000, 
say  550  lots;  1666  lots  a  year,  at  $300  each,  will 
pay  the  principal  $500,000.  The  whole  loan  then 
will  absorb  from  beginning  to  end,  at  $300  each,  2216 
lots. 


TO  LOUIS  xvi.1 
Philadelphia,  March  14,  1792. 
Very  great,  good  and  dear  Friend  and  Ally, — 
I  receive  as  a  new  proof  of  friendship  to  the  United 
States  the  letter  wherein  you  inform  me  that  you 
have  accepted  the  Constitution  presented  to  you 
in  the  name  of  your  nation  and  according  to  which 
it  is  henceforth  to  be  governed.  On  an  event  so 
important  to  your  kingdom  and  so  honorable  to 
yourself  accept  the  offering  of  my  sincere  con- 
gratulations and  of  the  sentiments  of  the  Senate 

1  Written  by  Thomas  Jefferson  at  the  order  of  George  Washington 
and  signed  by  the  latter. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  93 


and  Representatives  of  the  United  States  expressed 
in  their  resolutions  now  enclosed. 

We  have  watched  with  utmost  friendly  solicitude 
the  movements  of  your  nation  for  the  advancement 
of  their  happiness;  we  have  regarded  this  great 
spectacle  with  the  feelings  natural  to  those  who 
have  themselves  passed  through  like  perils,  and 
with  sincere  satisfaction,  we  have  seen  this  second 
occasion  proclaim  your  Majesty  a  second  time  a 
friend  and  patron  of  the  rights  of  mankind. 

That  yourself,  your  family  and  people,  under 
the  edifice  which  you  have  now  completed,  may 
repose  at  length  in  freedom,  happiness  and  safety, 
shall  be  our  constant  prayer  and  that  God  may 
ever  have  you,  great  and  dear  friend  and  ally,  in 
His  safe  and  holy  keeping. 

Written  at  Philadelphia,  this  fourteenth  day  of 
March,  1792,  and  of  our  Independence  the  sixteenth. 
Your  faithful  friend  and  ally. 


TO  BENJAMIN  HAWKINS. 

Philadelphia,  April  1,  1792. 
Dear  Sir, — At  Mrs.  Trist's  desire  I  forward  to 
you  about  a  dozen  beans  of  three  different  kinds, 
having  first  taken  toll  of  them  as  she  had  done 
before.  They  are  of  the  scarlet  flowering  kind.  This 
is  all  I  know  of  them.  The  most  beautiful  bean 
in  the  world  is  the  Caracalla  bean  which,  though 
in  England  a  green -house  plant,  will  grow  in  the 


94  Jefferson's  Works 


open  air  in  Virginia  and  Carolina.  I  never  could 
get  one  of  these  in  my  life.  They  are  worth  your 
enquiry. 

Some  friendly  Indians  have  been  killed  near 
Fort  Pitt  lately,  on  a  trading  visit,  by  a  party  of 
Virginians.  This  will  not  only  defeat  the  measures 
set  on  foot  for  peace,  but  spread  the  war  order. 
There  has  been  also  a  small  fracas  on  our  disputed 
territory  to  the  eastward,  by  our  sheriffs  levying 
taxes  on  the  inhabitants  of  Moose  Island,  who  as 
to  that  article  wished  to  be  neutrals.  A  sale  of 
1,200,000  acres  of  land  by  Mr.  R.  M.  in  Europe 
and  the  purchase  of  five  millions  more  is  the  report 
of  the  day.  Things  are  going  on  well  in  France 
by  the  last  authentic  accounts.  The  English  papers 
have  since  killed  the  Duke  of  Orleans.  It  seems 
to  be  thought  that  the  affairs  of  Europe  are  by  no 
means  settled,  and  that  the  late  pacification  has 
only  covered  a  fire  which  will  burst  out  again 
immediately.    Adieu.    Yours  affectionately. 


TO  THOMAS  JOHNSON,  DAVID  STUART  AND 
DANIEL  CARROLL. 

Philadelphia,  April  20,  1792. 
Gentlemen, — Your  favor  of  the  nth  has  been 
duly  received,  and  laid  before  the  President.  He 
thinks  it  best  to  delay  making  any  alteration  in 
the  plan  of  the  city.  The  considerations  which 
weigh  with  him  are  the  expediency  of  fixing  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  95 


public  opinion  on  the  thing  as  stable  and  unalter- 
able, the  loss  of  the  work  done  if  altered,  the  closing 
all  the  avenues  which  point  to  the  Capitol,  removing 
the  two  Houses  to  a  still  greater  distance,  change 
in  the  engraving  and  that  it  will  not  be  necessary 
to  dig  away  the  hill  to  the  eastward,  since,  were 
it  to  be  dug  away,  the  private  buildings  would  as 
effectually  exclude  prospect  from  the  Capitol,  except 
merely  along  the  avenues.  He  thinks  that  the 
obstruction  given  by  Mr.  Young's  house  need  not 
bring  in  any  question  for  years  to  come. 

The  warrants  are  received  and  your  desire  shall 
be  attended  to  for  releasing  the  lots  mortgaged 
pari  passu  with  the  redemption,  but  I  do  not  know 
that  that  can  now  be  effected.  You  have  continually 
heard  of  the  extraordinary  crash  which  has  taken 
place  here,  at  New  York  and  Boston,  of  persons 
dealing  in  paper  and  of  good  merchants  and  others 
who  had  dealings  with  the  paper;  well,  it  has  pro- 
duced a  general  stagnation  of  money  contracts 
which  will  continue  till  it  is  known  who  stands  and 
who  falls,  during  this  crisis,  and  Blodget  thinks 
it  prudent  to  suspend  preparing  our  loan  and, 
indeed,  we  think  so  too.  This  will  oblige  you  to 
keep,  Messrs.  Johnson,  Stuart  and  Carroll,  back 
some  of  your  operations;  perhaps  proper  offers  to 
workmen  and  laborers  without  being  addressed  to 
any  place  in  particular  might  at  this  moment  draw 
great  numbers  from  New  York,  Boston,  and  this 
place.    The  procuring  of  workmen  from  Scotland 


96  Jefferson's  Works 


is  an  object  of  importance,  and  it  may  be  doubted 
whether  the  importation  of  some  Germans  might 
not  be  a  good  experiment  as  well  in  economy  as 
to  have  a  certain  dependence.  They  are  distin- 
guished for  their  industry  and  sobriety  and  might 
be  good  as  an  example  and  model  to  be  referred  to. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  most  perfect  respect, 
Gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant. 


TO  HIS  MAJESTY  GEORGE  III  OF  ENGLAND.1 

Philadelphia,  June  6,  1792. 
Great  and  good  Friend, — I  have  made  choice 
of  Thomas  Pinckney,  one  of  our  distinguished 
citizens,  to  reside  near  your  Majesty  in  the  quality 
of  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States 
of  America.  He  is  well  apprised  of  the  friendship 
our  Republic  bears  to  you  and  of  our  desire  to 
cultivate  the  harmony  and  good  correspondence  so 
happily  subsisting  between  us.  From  a  knowledge 
of  his  fidelity,  probity  and  good  conduct,  I  have 
entire  confidence  that  he  will  render  himself  accept- 
able to  your  Majesty,  and  give  effort  to  our  desire 
of  preserving  and  advancing,  on  all  occasions,  the 
interest  and  happiness  of  the  two  nations.  I 
beseech  you,  therefore,  to  give  full  confidence  to 
whatever  he  shall  say  to  you  on  the  part  of  the 

^his  and  the  following  letter  are  copies  of  those  enclosed  to 
Thomas  Pinckney.    See  Volume  VIII,  page  368. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  07 


United  States,  and  most  of  all  when  he  shall  assure 
you  of  their  friendship  and  wishes  for  your  pros- 
perity, and  I  pray  God  to  have  your  Majesty  in 
safe  and  holy  keeping. 

Written  at  Philadelphia  this  [sixth]  day  of  June, 
1792. 


TO  THE  QUEEN  OF  ENGLAND. 

Philadelphia,  June  6,  1792. 

Madam,  our  good  Friend, — This  letter  will  be 
delivered  to  you  by  Thomas  Pinckney,  one  of  our 
distinguished  citizens,  whom  I  have  named  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  to  reside  near  the  person  of  the 
King,  your  husband. 

My  knowledge  of  his  good  qualities  gives  me  full 
confidence  that  he  will  so  conduct  himself  as  to 
merit  your  esteem,  and  I  pray  that  you  will  yield 
entire  confidence  to  the  assurances  he  will  give  you 
of  our  friendship,  and  that  God  will  have  you  always, 
Madam,  our  good  friend,  in  His  holy  keeping. 

Written  at  Philadelphia  this  [sixth]  day  of  June, 
1792. 

(To  our  good  friend,  the  Queen  of  Great  Britain. 
It  will  be  better  to  leave  the  superscription  blank 
to  be  properly  filled  by  Mr.  Pinckney  on  the  spot, 
if  he  find  it  necessary  to  deliver  the  letter.) 


VOL.  XIX — 7 


9$  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  STEPHEN  CATHALAN. 

Philadelphia,  December  2,  1792. 

Dear  Sir, — The  small  essay  which  has  been 
commenced  under  your  kind  assistance  for  colon- 
izing the  olive  tree  to  South  Carolina  has  induced 
some  patriotic  gentlemen  of  that  country  to  turn 
their  attention  further  toward  its  importance,  and 
to  give  to  their  efforts  a  more  steady  and  permanent 
form.  I  gave  it  as  my  opinion  to  them  that  the 
best  plan  which  could  be  pursued  at  a  moderate 
expense,  would  be  to  rent,  near  Marseilles,  an  acre  of 
ground,  or  say  your  quarterelle,  which  is  something 
less  than  an  acre,  to  employ  by  the  year  a  laboring 
man  who  understands  engrafting,  to  make  it  his 
business  to  sow  olives  in  this  ground,  to  engraft 
on  them  cuttings  from  the  best  kinds,  and  to  send 
to  Carolina  in  the  winter  of  every  year  all  the  plants 
he  could  have  in  readiness,  together  with  a  quantity 
of  the  olive  berries  to  be  sown  in  Carolina  in  order 
to  be  engrafted  on  them. 

If  before  a  given  day  in  winter,  say  the  first  of 
January,  any  ship  should  be  sailing  from  Marseilles 
to  Charleston,  it  should  be  his  business  to  pack 
properly  his  olive  berries  and  young  plants  and 
put  them  on  board ;  if  no  vessel  should  occur  before 
that,  or  any  more  convenient  day,  it  should  be 
his  business  to  proceed  himself  with  his  olive  berries 
and  plants,  through  the  canal  of  Languedoc  to 
Bordeaux,  there  to  remain  (under  the  patronage 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  99 


of  Fenwick)  till  a  vessel  should  sail  from  thence 
to  Charleston,  on  board  of  which  he  should  put 
his  cargo  and  then  return  to  Marseilles  to  recom- 
mence for  the  next  year  the  same  operation  of 
sowing,  engrafting,  packing  and  dispatching  in  the 
same  way  to  Charleston,  the  olive  berries  and 
plants  which  he  could  prepare  for  that  year,  and  so 
to  continue  for  a  number  of  years.  The  first  question 
occurring  was  to  how  small  a  sum  can  we  reduce  this 
expense  annually,  so  as  that  it  may  be  effected 
and  yet  not  too  sensible  a  burden  on  the  gentlemen. 

I  recollect  that  the  price  of  a  quarterelle  of  the 
best  lands  close  to  Marseilles  was  one  hundred 
louis,  consequently  its  rent  five  louis  a  year.  The 
hire  of  a  laboring  man  six  louis  a  year,  his  subsistence, 
considering  he  may  have  to  move  from  Marseilles 
to  Bordeaux,  will  be  more  than  if  he  were  always 
stationary,  but  still,  if  he  uses  the  economy  which 
a  man  of  his  condition  well  understands,  it  need 
not  exceed  fourteen  louis  a  year,  and  all  together 
twenty-five  louis.  Therefore,  to  cover  all  errors 
of  calculation,  accidents  and  contingencies,  I  pro- 
posed double  that  sum,  to  wit:  fifty  louis.  The 
gentlemen  have  accordingly  appropriated  that  sum 
annually. 

The  second  question  arising  was  whom  we  should 
engage  to  manage  this  business  at  Marseilles?  On 
this  there  could  be  but  one  opinion,  your  exertions 
heretofore,  your  goodness  and  your  relations  to  this 
country  marked  you  as  the  person  whom  we  must 


IO°  Jefferson's  Works 


engage  to  act  there,  and  to  their  entreaties  I  must 
add  mine  in  the  most  earnest  degree.  After  you 
shall  have  put  the  business  under  way,  that  is  to 
say,  after  you  shall  have  engaged  a  proper  laborer 
and  piece  of  ground,  I  hope  you  will  have  no 
other  trouble  than  to  receive  and  pay  the  wages 
and  rent,  and  to  see  the  nursery  now  and  then  and 
that  the  person  does  his  duty.  Your  reward  will 
be  the  consciousness  of  doing  good,  our  thanks, 
and  those  of  a  grateful  posterity,  nor  can  any 
objections  arise  from  the  circumstances  of  your  own 
country,  as  that  imports  more  oil  than  it  exports, 
and  consequently  is  interested  to  increase  the 
quantity  produced  abroad  as  well  as  at  home. 

I  will  take  it  for  granted,  then,  that  you  will  become 
the  father  of  our  olive  colony  by  superintending 
whatever  is  necessary  to  be  done  on  that  side  the 
water.  The  plants  will  be  received  and  their 
freight  paid  at  their  port  of  delivery  here,  which 
we  must  entreat  to  make,  in  every  possible  case, 
the  port  of  Charleston.  Great  injury  and  loss 
happen  in  shipping  and  unshipping  in  warehouses, 
etc.,  but  when  a  conveyance  to  Charleston  direct 
cannot  be  had  without  danger  of  losing  the  season, 
then  New  York  or  Philadelphia  are  the  next  best 
ports.  Baltimore  is  too  uncertain  and  Norfolk  still 
more  so.  I  enclose  you  a  letter  from  Charles  Cotes- 
worth  Pinckney,  Esquire,  of  Charleston,  who  is  chair- 
man of  the  agricultural  society  there,  which  will 
inform  you  of  the  arrangements  taken  to  have  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  1°* 

sum  of  money  destined  to  this  object,  always  under 
your  order. 

To  his  correspondence  on  the  subject  I  must 
refer  you  for  the  future  and  to  such  alterations 
in  my  plan  as  he  shall  please  to  direct.  It  may 
not  be  amiss  to  add  annually  a  few  plants  of  the 
best  figs  for  drying  as  also  of  the  best  grapes  for 
making  what  we  call  " dried  raisins,"  and  you,  I 
believe,  "des  panses;  "  only  taking  care  that  these 
be  really  few,  so  that  they  may  in  no  wise  abridge 
or  interfere  with  the  olives  which  are  the  main 
object.  We  will  take  care  to  procure  the  patronage 
of  Mr.  Fenwick  at  Bordeaux  for  so  much  of  the 
business  as  must  be  transacted  there. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  and  sincere 
esteem,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  humble 
servant. 


TO  GOVERNOR  JOHN  HANCOCK.1 

[1793?] 

Sir, — Your  favor  of  July  20th  came  safely  to 
hand  together  with  the  memorial  of  Monsieur  de 
Latombe  of  the  7th  of  June  and  the  resolve  of 
the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  of  the  24th  of  the 
same  month.  On  considering  the  nature  of  the 
difficulties  which  have  occurred  in  the  execution  of 

1  Written  by  Jefferson  at  Washington's  order.  At  the  bottom  of  the 
original  letter,  in  the  former's  handwriting,  is  indited :  Governor  Han- 
cock, from  the  President  of  the  United  States, 


Jefferson's  Works 


the  Consular  Convention,  they  appeared  to  be  such 
as  could  not  be  removed  but  by  a  legislative  act. 
When  these  papers  were  received  the  session  of 
Congress  was  already  drawn  so  near  to  a  close  that 
it  was  not  thought  expedient  to  propose  to  them 
the  taking  up  at  that  time  a  subject  which  was 
new  and  might  be  found  difficult.  It  will  remain, 
therefore,  for  their  consideration  at  their  next 
meeting  in  December. 


TO  DAVID  HUMPHREYS. 

Philadelphia,  January  3,  1793. 

Dear  Sir, — My  last  to  you  was  of  the  6th  of 
November.  Since  that  the  papers  have  been  for- 
warded to  you  by  every  opportunity  from  my 
office  as  Mr.  Taylor  assures  me,  to  whom  I  am 
obliged  to  confide  that  duty. 

Your  last  received  was  number  59  as  acknowl- 
edged in  mine.  With  the  present  you  will  receive 
newspapers  for  yourself,  Mr.  Carmichael  and  Mr. 
Short,  whom  we  expect  by  this  time  to  be  at  Madrid, 
also  half  a  dozen  plans  of  the  city  of  Washington, 
in  the  District  of  Columbia,  to  be  displayed  wher- 
ever they  will  be  most  likely  to  be  seen  by  that 
class  of  people  who  might  be  attracted  to  it. 

Congress  is  in  session  as  you  will  see  by  the  papers, 
which  will  give  you  the  details  of  their  proceedings. 
The  western  Indians  have  proposed  to  meet  us  in 
the  spring,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Sandusky,  to 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  io3 


treat  of  peace.  The  result  is  far  from  being  certain. 
The  late  election  of  President  and  Vice-President 
has  given  us  the  former  unanimously,  the  latter 
by  a  great  majority.  We  have  now  been  a  con- 
siderable time  without  hearing  from  Mr.  Barclay, 
and  shall  always  be  glad  to  be  informed  by  you 
on  this  subject,  as  he  may  be  in  a  situation  not 
to  find  means  of  conveying  letters  to  us.  We  are 
anxious  to  know,  too,  whether  the  monopoly  of  grain 
mentioned  in  your  letter  threatens  really  to  take 
place.  Remember  we  hear  nothing  of  the  Minister 
of  Portugal,  who  has  been  in  great  demand  here 
lately. 

The  price  has  been  consequently  high  and  will 
be  so  again.  The  French  West  Indies  become  more 
and  more  dependent  on  us  for  subsistence ;  there  is 
at  present  some  glimmering  of  hope  that  the  efforts 
of  the  free  inhabitants  will  be  directed  with  more 
efficiency  to  the  reduction  of  the  common  enemy. 
However,  we  are  far  from  certainty  on  that  subject, 
referring  you  for  details  on  these  subjects  to  the 
papers  which  accompany  this.  I  am,  with  great  and 
sincere  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
humble  servant. 


TO  JOHN  GARLAND  JEFFERSON. 

Philadelphia,  April  14,  1793. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  letter  of  March  31  came  duly 
to  hand  on  the  9th  instant,  having  been  induced, 


i°4  Jefferson's  Works 


for  particular  reasons,  to  continue  a  while  longer 
in  my  office.  I  should  have  written  to  you  but 
that  I  have  been  occupied  with  removing  from 
the  town  a  little  way  into  the  country.  I  am  much 
pleased  to  see  that  you  are  so  nearly  through  the 
course  of  reading  I  had  proposed  to  you.  It  proves 
your  industry,  because  I  know  that  that  course 
requires  three  years'  industrious  reading. 

With  respect  to  the  Roman  history,  if  you  have 
read  Suetonius  and  Tacitus,  Gibbon's  will  be  suf- 
ficient to  conduct  you  down  to  the  time  when 
that  empire  broke  to  pieces  and  the  modern  states 
of  Europe  arose  out  of  them.  As  I  do  not  suppose 
you  can  get  a  copy  of  Gibbon  you  may  leave  him 
for  the  next  winter  when  I  shall  have  mine  in 
Virginia.  In  the  meanwhile  study  well  Blair, 
Mason,  Quintilian,  and  endeavor  to  catch  the 
oratorical  style  of  Bolingbroke.  I  should  imagine 
that  at  the  courts  of  the  next  fall  you  might  venture 
to  take  your  stand  at  the  bar  of  such  of  them  as 
you  conclude  to  enter  into,  and  argue  some  cause, 
judiciously  selected  for  you  by  some  friendly  gentle- 
man of  the  bar.  This  will  present  you  to  the  view 
of  clients  and  bring  in  something  perhaps  during 
the  winter  to  begin  on  in  the  spring.  In  the  mean- 
time the  winter  may  be  employed  in  finishing  your 
course  of  reading  and  studying  the  forms  of  pleading. 

My  expectation  was  to  have  been  in  Virginia 
in  time  to  have  provided  a  resource  for  the  supply 
of  the  seventy-five  dollars  for  the  spring.  Having 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  io5 

no  means  of  doing  it,  and  no  friend  in  Richmond 
on  whom  I  could  rely  with  certainty,  I  am  obliged  to 
take  the  only  measure  which  remains  in  my  power, 
that  of  referring  you  to  Colonel  Bell  in  Charlottes- 
ville. This  I  know  cannot  be  as  desirable  to  you, 
because  you  cannot  have  such  a  choice  of  supplies 
there  and  because  they  are  dearer.  The  latter 
objection,  therefore,  I  get  you  over  by  desiring 
you  to  consider  yourself  free  to  go  beyond  the  sum 
as  far  as  the  difference  of  prices  between  Richmond 
and  Charlottesville.  The  former  objection  will 
remain,  and  as  to  that,  I  must  only  pray  you  to 
take  the  will  for  the  deed.  In  or  before  the  fall  I 
shall  certainly  see  you.  I  shall  recommend  to 
Dabney  Carr  to  begin  a  course  of  law  and  reading 
at  his  mother's  immediately,  so  that  you  may 
deliver  my  books  to  him  as  you  finish  them.  I 
am,  with  great  and  sincere  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your 
affectionate  kinsman. 

P.  S.  I  enclose  you  a  letter  of  credit  to  Colonel 
Bell. 


TO  EDMOND  C.  GENET. 

Philadelphia,  August  16,  1793. 

Sir, — The  President  of  the  United  States  has 
received  the  letter  which  you  addressed  to  him  from 
New  York  on  the  13th  inst.  and  I  am  desired  to 
observe  to  you  that  it  is  not  the  established  course 


Jefferson's  Works 


for  the  diplomatic  *****  residing  here  to  have 
any  direct  correspondence  with  him.  The  Secretary 
of  State  is  the  organ  through  which  their  communi- 
cations should  pass. 

The  President  does  not  conceive  it  to  be  within  the 
line  of  propriety  or  duty  for  him  to  bear  evidence 
against  the  declarations  which,  whether  made  to  him 
or  to  others,  is  perhaps  immaterial.  He  therefore 
declines  interfering  in  the  case.  I  have  the  honor  to 
be,  with  great  respect,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
most  humble  servant. 


TO  MARIA  JEFFERSON. 

Germantown,  November  17,  1793. 
No  letter  yet  from  my  dear  Marie,  who  is  so  fond 
of  writing,  so  punctual  in  her  correspondence!  I 
enjoin  as  a  penalty  that  the  next  be  written  in 
French.  Now  for  news.  The  fever  is  entirely 
vanished  from  Philadelphia.  Not  a  single  person 
has  taken  infection  since  the  great  rains  about  the 
first  of  the  month,  and  those  who  had  it  before  are 
either  dead  or  recovered.  All  the  inhabitants  who 
had  fled  are  returning  into  the  city,  probably  will 
all  be  returned  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  week. 
The  President  has  been  into  the  city,  but  will  prob- 
ably remain  here  till  the  meeting  of  Congress  to  form 
a  point  of  union  for  them  before  they  will  have  had 
time  to  gather  knowledge  and  courage.  I  have  not 
yet  been  in,  not  because  there  is  a  shadow  of  danger, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  io7 


but  because  I  am  afoot.  Thomas  is  returned  into 
my  service.  His  wife  and  child  went  into  town  the 
day  we  left.  They  then  had  the  infection  of  the 
yellow  fever,  were  taken  two  or  three  days  after  and 
both  died.  Had  we  staid  there  two  or  three  days 
longer  they  would  have  been  taken  at  our  house.  I 
have  heard  nothing  of  Miss  Cropper,  her  trunk 
remains  at  our  house.  Mrs.  Fullarton  left  Phila- 
delphia. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rittenhouse  remained  there, 
but  have  escaped  the  fever.  Follow  closely  your 
music,  reading,  sewing,  housekeeping,  and  love  me 
as  I  do  you.    Most  affectionately. 

P.  S.  Tell  Mr.  Randolph  that  General  Wayne  has 
had  a  convoy  of  twenty-two  wagons  of  provisions  and 
seventy  men  cut  off  in  his  rear  by  Indians. 


TO  ALEXANDER  HAMILTON. 

Philadelphia,  December  12,  1793. 
Sir, — Colonel  Humphreys  having  charged  Mr. 
Church,  our  consul  at  Lisbon,  to  send  us  information 
of  the  truce  between  Algiers  and  Portugal  by  an 
express  vessel,  he  engaged  one  under  Swedish  colors 
to  come  here  with  his  letters.  She  is  now  lying  at 
New  York  at  our  expense.  Thinking  it  material  to 
save  as  much  of  the  expense  as  we  can  by  permitting 
her  to  be  freighted  back  to  Lisbon,  to  which  place  she 
is  to  return,  I  mentioned  to  the  President  that  the 
officer  at  the  head  of  the  customs  at  New  York  would 


JoS  Jefferson's  Works 


be  the  most  proper  person  to  take  charge  of  her.  It 
is  with  his  approbation  that  I  enclose  you  the  charter- 
party,  stating  the  terms  on  which  she  has  been 
engaged,  with  a  desire  that  you  will  give  the  neces- 
sary orders  to  that  officer  to  do  with  the  vesssel  what 
is  best  for  the  public  interest.  I  have  the  honor  to 
be,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant. 


TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Philadelphia,  January  — ,  1794. 
Sir, — I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have 
resigned  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  and  that 
Mr.  Randolph,  late  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States,  is  appointed  by  the  President  and  approved 
by  the  Senate,  as  Secretary  of  State.  You  will, 
therefore,  be  pleased  to  consider  all  authority  hereto- 
fore held  by  me  over  any  funds  in  the  bank  belong- 
ing to  the  Department  of  State  as  now  transferred  to 
him.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  your  most  obedient 
servant. 


TO  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

Monticello,  February  23,  1795. 
Dear  Sir, — You  were  formerly  deliberating  on  the 
purpose  to  which  you  should  apply  the  shares  in  the 
Potomac  and  James  River  companies  presented  to 
you  by  our  Assembly  and  you  did  me  the  honor  of 
asking  me  to  think  on  the  subject.    As  well  as  I 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  io9 


remember  some  academical  institution  was  thought 
to  offer  the  best  application  of  the  money.  Should 
you  have  finally  decided  in  favor  of  this,  a  circum- 
stance has  taken  place  which  would  render  the 
present  moment  the  most  advantageous  to  carry  it 
into  execution,  by  giving  to  it  in  the  onset  such  an 
eclat  and  such  solid  advantages  as  would  ensure  a 
very  general  concourse  to  it  of  the  youth  from  all  our 
states  and  probably  from  the  other  parts  of  America 
which  are  free  enough  to  adopt  it.  The  revolution 
which  has  taken  place  at  Geneva  has  demolished  the 
college  of  that  place  which  was  in  a  great  measure 
supported  by  the  former  government.  The  colleges 
of  Geneva  and  Edinburgh  were  considered  as  the  two 
eyes  of  Europe  in  matters  of  science,  insomuch  that 
no  other  pretended  to  any  rivalship  with  either. 

Edinburgh  has  been  the  most  famous  in  medicine 
during  the  life  of  Cullen,  but  Geneva  most  so  in  the 
other  branches  of  science  and  much  the  most  resorted 
to  from  the  continent  of  Europe  because  the  French 
language  was  that  which  was  used.  A  M.  DTver- 
nois,  a  Genevan,  a  man  of  science,  known  as  the 
author  of  a  history  of  that  republic,  has  proposed  the 
transplanting  that  college  in  a  body  to  America. 
He  has  written  to  me  on  the  subject  as  he  has  also 
done  to  Mr.  Adams,  as  he  was  formerly  known  to  us 
both,  giving  us  the  details  of  his  views  for  effecting  it. 
Probably  these  have  been  communicated  to  you  by 
Mr.  Adams,  as  DTvernois  desired  should  be  done,  but 
lest  they  should  not  have  been  communicated  I  will 


110  Jefferson's  Works 

take  the  liberty  of  doing  it.  His  plan,  I  think,  would 
go  to  about  ten  or  twelve  professorships.  He  names 
to  me  the  following  professors  as  likely  if  not  certain 
to  embrace  the  plan. 

Monchon,  the  present  President,  who  wrote  the 
analytical  table  for  the  Encyclopaedists,  and  which 
sufficiently  proves  his  comprehensive  science.  Pic- 
tet,  known  from  his  admeasurements  of  a  degree  and 
other  works,  professor  of  natural  philosophy.  His 
brother,  said  by  M.  D'lvernois  to  be  also  great. 
Serebier,  an  author  of  commentaries  on  Spallarrani 
and  of  other  works  in  natural  philosophy  and 
meteorology,  also  the  translator  of  the  Greek  trage- 
dies. *  *  *  and  L'Huillier,  both  mathematicians, 
and  said  to  be  inferior  to  nobody  in  that  line 
except  La  Grange,  who  is  without  an  equal.  Prevost, 
highly  spoken  of  by  D'lvernois.  De  Saussure  and 
his  son,  formerly  a  professor,  but  who  left  the  college 
to  have  more  leisure  to  pursue  his  geological  researches 
into  the  Alps  by  which  work  he  is  very  advantage- 
ously known. 

Most  of  these  are  said  to  speak  our  language  well. 
Of  these  professors  the  names  of  Monchon,  Pictet,  de 
Saussure  and  Serebier  are  well  known  to  me,  as  stand- 
ing foremost  among  the  literati  of  Europe.  Secrecy 
having  been  necessary  this  plan  had  as  yet  been  con- 
certed only  with  Pictet,  his  brother  and  Prevost,  who 
knew,  however,  from  circumstances  that  the  others 
would  join  them,  and  I  think  it  very  possible  that  the 
revolution  in  France  may  have  put  it  in  our  power 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  111 

to  associate  La  Grange  with  them,  whose  modest  and 
diffident  character  will  probably  have  kept  him  in 
the  rear  of  the  revolutionist  principles,  which  has 
been  the  ground  on  which  the  revolutionists  of 
Geneva  have  discarded  their  professors.  Most  of 
these  are  men  having  families  and,  therefore,  M. 
D'lvernois  observes  they  cannot  come  over  but  on 
sure  grounds.  In  proposing  a  revenue  of  15,000 
dollars  for  the  whole  institution  and  supposing  lands 
could  be  appropriated  to  this  object,  he  says  that 
one  hundred  Geneva  families  can  readily  be  found 
who  will  purchase  and  settle  on  the  lands  and  deposit 
for  them  the  capital  of  which  fifteen  thousand  would 
be  the  interest.  In  this  revenue  he  means  to  com- 
prehend a  college  of  languages  preparatory  to  the 
principal  one  of  sciences  and  also  a  third  college  for 
the  gratuitous  teaching  of  the  *  *  *  reading  and 
writing. 

It  could  not  be  expected  that  any  propositions 
from  strangers  unacquainted  with  our  means  and 
our  wants  could  jump  at  once  into  a  perfect  accommo- 
dation with  these.  But  those  presented  *  *  *  would 
serve  to  treat  on,  and  are  capable  of  modification 
*  *  *  leable  perhaps  to  the  views  of  both  parties. 

1.  We  can  well  dispose  with  his  2d  and  3d  col- 
leges as  not  being  too  partial  for  an  extensive  country 
and  the  *  *  *  sufficiently  and  better  provided  for 
already  by  our  public  and  private  grammar  schools. 
I  should  conjecture  that  this  would  reduce  one-third 
of  his  demand  for  revenue,  and  that  10,000  d.  would 


112  Jefferson's  Works 

then  probably  answer  their  remaining  views,  which 
are  the  only  important  ones  to  us. 

2.  We  are  not  to  count  on  raising  the  money  from 
lands,  and  consequently  we  must  give  up  the  pro- 
posal of  the  colony  of  Geneva  farmers.  But  the 
wealth  of  Geneva  in  money  being  notorious  and  the 
class  of  moneyed  men  being  that  which  the  new  gov- 
ernment is  trying  to  get  rid  of,  it  is  probable  that  the 
capital  sums  could  be  borrowed  on  the  credit  of  the 
funds  under  consideration  sufficient  to  meet  the  first 
expenses  of  the  transplantation  and  establishment 
and  to  supply  also  the  deficiency  of  revenue  till  the 
profits  of  the  shares  shall  become  sufficiently  superior 
to  the  annual  support  of  the  college  as  to  repay  the 
sums  borrowed. 

3.  The  composition  of  the  academy  cannot  be  set- 
tled there.  It  must  be  adapted  to  our  circumstances, 
and  can,  therefore,  only  be  fixed  between  them  and 
persons  here  acquainted  with  those  circumstances 
and  conferring  for  the  purpose  after  their  arrival  here. 
For  a  country  so  marked  for  agriculture  as  ours  I 
should  think  no  professorship  so  important  as  one 
not  mentioned  by  them,  a  professor  of  agriculture, 
who,  before  the  students  should  leave  college,  should 
carry  them  through  a  course  of  lectures  on  the  prin- 
ciples and  practice  of  agriculture,  and  that  this  pro- 
fessor should  come  from  no  country  but  England. 
Indeed,  I  should  mark  Young  as  the  man  to  be 
obtained.  These,  however,  are  modifications  to  be 
left  till  after  their  arrival  here. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  i*3 


M.  D'lvernois  observes  that  the  professors  keep 
themselves  disengaged  till  the  ensuing  spring  attend- 
ing an  answer,  as  he  had  desired  his  proposition  to  be 
made  to  our  legislature,  and  accordingly  got  a  mem- 
ber to  sound  as  many  of  his  brethren  on  the  subject 
as  he  could,  desiring  if  he  found  it  would  be  desperate 
that  he  would  not  commit  the  honor  either  of  that 
body  or  the  college  of  Geneva,  by  forcing  an  open  act 
of  rejection.  I  received  his  information  only  a  fort- 
night ago,  that  the  thing  was  evidently  impracticable. 
I  immediately  forwarded  this  information  to  D'lver- 
nois, not  giving  him  an  idea  that  there  was  any  other 
resource.  Thinking,  however,  that  if  you  should 
conclude  to  apply  the  revenues  of  the  canal  shares 
to  any  institution  of  this  kind,  so  fortunate  an  outset 
would  render  *  *  *  be  obtained.  I  have  supposed 
it  my  duty  both  to  you  and  them  to  *  *  *  the  cir- 
cumstance to  your  consideration. 

A  question  would  arise  as  to  the  place  of  the  estab- 
lishment; as  far  as  I  can  learn,  it  is  thought  just  that 
the  State  which  *  *  *  the  revenue  should  be  most 
considered  in  the  uses  to  which  it  *  *  *  appropri- 
ated. But  I  suppose  that  their  expectation  would 
be  satisfied  by  a  location  within  their  limits  and  that 
this  only  *  *  *  be  so  far  from  the  federal  city  as 
moral  considerations  would  recommend  and  yet  near 
enough  to  it  to  be  viewed  as  an  appendix  of  that,  and 
that  the  splendor  of  the  two  objects  would  reflect 
usefully  on  each  other. 

Circumstances  have  already  consumed  much  of  the 

VOL.  XIX — 8 


n4  Jefferson's  Works 


*  *  *  allotted  us.  Should  you  think  the  proposition 
can  be  brought  at  all  within  your  views,  your  deter- 
mination, as  soon  as  *  *  *  important  occupations  will 
admit  it,  would  require  to  be  conveyed  as  early  as 
possible  to  M.  D'lvernois,  now  in  London.  Lest  my 
last  letter  should  throw  the  parties  into  other  engage- 
ments, I  will  not  trespass  on  your  time  and  attention 
by  adding  to  this  lengthy  letter  anything  further  than 
by  assurances  of  the  high  esteem  and  respect  with 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  dear  Sir,  your  sincere 
friend  and  humble  servant. 


TO  AARON  BURR. 

Philadelphia,  January  7,  1797. 

Dear  Sir, — I  wrote  you  some  time  before  I  left 
home  on  the  subject  of  my  friend  Currie's  affair,  but 
lest  that  letter  should  not  have  been  at  hand  I  trouble 
you  with  this  merely  to  inquire  in  what  state  his  suit 
against  Morris  is,  and  I  should  not  have  done  it  but 
that  you  had  supposed  that  if  terminated  favorably 
at  all  it  would  be  before  this  time ;  a  line  of  informa- 
tion will  be  acceptable. 

A  want  of  confidence  in  the  posts  prevents  my 
saying  anything  on  political  subjects  further  than 
that  it  is  proposed  (and  no  doubt  will  be  agreed)  to 
commence  a  great  naval  power  by  building  ***** 
12  frigates  from  28  tons  *  *  *  *  vessels,  say  a  fleet 
of  50  ships,  the  first  cost  ten,  fifty  or  ninety  millions 
of  dollars.    The  annual  expenses  between  five  and 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  "5 


six  millions.  These  alone  will  cost  us  annually  one 
and  one-half  dollars  *  *  *  *  besides  the  great  cost 
add  the  army,  civil  list  and  interest  of  the  debt  and 
*  *  *  the  amount.  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  friend  and 
servant. 


TO  LOUIS,   PRINCE  OF  PARMA. 

Philadelphia,  May  23,  1797. 
I  received  from  your  Royal  Highness  the  letter 
with  which  you  were  pleased  to  honor  me,  through 
the  channel  of  Mr.  Pinckney,  then  our  envoy  extraor- 
dinary at  the  court  of  Spain,  in  which  you  expressed 
your  wish  to  establish  a  correspondence  with  some 
person  in  the  United  States  of  America,  who  might 
be  able  to  furnish  subjects  of  natural  history  from 
this  country  in  exchange  for  those  of  Europe.  I 
have  never  myself  undertaken  to  form  a  cabinet 
of  natural  history,  nor  consequently  to  make 
myself  acquainted  with  the  methods  of  preparing 
and  preserving  the  different  subjects.  My  occupa- 
tions in  public  life  have  been  and  still  continue 
inconsistent  with  the  attentions  which  would  have 
been  requisite  to  such  an  undertaking.  However 
ardently,  then,  I  wished  I  could  myself  have  been 
the  person  who  should  gratify  the  laudable  desires 
of  your  Royal  Highness  to  enrich  your  cabinet 
with  American  subjects,  yet  was  sensible  that  the 
way  to  serve  you  was  not  to  undertake  what  I 
should  have  executed  very  defectively,   but  to 


116  Jefferson's  Works 

engage  some  person  whose  habits  and  occupations 
would  enable  him  more  completely  to  fulfill  your 
wishes.  As  to  the  person  to  whom  I  should  address 
myself,  there  is  no  doubt.  Mr.  Charles  Wilson 
Peale,  a  member  of  our  Philosophical  Society  and 
inhabitant  of  this  city,  has  for  many  years  been 
engaged  in  forming  a  cabinet  of  natural  history, 
is  constantly  occupied  in  collecting  and  preparing 
new  subjects  and  does  this  with  a  skill  unequalled  by 
any  other  among  us.  To  him,  therefore,  I  ventured 
on  behalf  of  your  Royal  Highness  to  propose  that 
he  should  enter  into  correspondence  with  the  keeper 
of  your  cabinet,  furnish  you  with  such  subjects  of 
the  three  kingdoms  as  should  be  called  for  from 
this  region  and  receive  from  yours  in  exchange 
such  as  your  keeper  could  procure  or  spare.  Mr. 
Peale  readily  acceded  to  the  proposition,  limiting 
his  undertaking  very  candidly  by  the  following 
expressions  in  his  letter. 

"I  have  it  in  my  power,"  says  he,  "to  make  an 
exchange  of  animal  subjects  generally,  of  minerals 
a  small  number,  but  as  to  vegetables  I  have  not 
had  time  to  pay  much  attention  to  them  as  yet. 
However,  by  the  help  of  Mr.  Bartram  and  some 
others  of  my  acquaintance  in  that  line,  the  subjects 
wished  for  may  be  obtained." 

In  addition  to  Mr.  Peale,  I  would  observe  that 
Mr.  Bartram  he  mentions  is  the  owner  and  keeper 
of  a  botanical  garden  in  the  neighborhood  of  this 
city,  who  provides  and  furnishes  with  great  skill 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  JI7 


and  at  moderate  prices  such  trees  and  shrubs  of 
this  country  as  the  curious  call  for,  and  packs 
them  so  carefully  as  to  preserve  their  vegetable 
powers  through  any  length  of  voyage,  within 
ordinary  limits,  and  that  should  you  wish  to  enrich 
your  gardens  as  well  as  your  cabinet  with  American 
subjects,  you  may  be  well  served  through  the 
medium  of  Mr.  Peale  as  the  single  correspondent 
who  can  conveniently  transact  with  Mr.  Bartram 
whatever  calls  may  be  made  on  him.  To  relieve 
your  Royal  Highness  from  all  doubt  and  embarrass- 
ment as  to  the  expectations  of  Mr.  Peale  with 
respect  to  compensation,  I  will  observe  that  he  is 
a  private  citizen  having  no  other  fortune  than  his 
cabinet  and  deriving  the  support  of  that  as  well 
as  of  his  family  from  the  profits  made  by  showing 
it  to  the  curious,  that  by  increasing  its  subjects 
he  increases  the  desire  of  seeing  it  and  consequently 
his  profits  arising  therefrom  and  hence  will  consider 
the  subjects  received  in  exchange  delivered  here 
clear  of  expense  as  full  compensation  for  those  he 
will  deliver  here  properly  packed  to  the  Minister 
of  Spain,  or  any  other  agent  you  shall  appoint. 
This  throws  on  your  Royal  Highness  the  expense 
of  transportation  both  of  the  subjects  received 
and  given  in  exchange,  but  he  observes  that  neither 
his  profits  nor  circumstances  enable  him  to  meet 
any  pecuniary  expenses.  You  will  be  pleased, 
therefore,  to  decide  for  yourself  whether  the  con- 
dition is  more  onerous  than  the  object  merits. 


IX8  Jefferson's  Works 


Should  the  channel  which  I  have  opened  for  the 
fulfilment  of  your  wishes  meet  your  approbation 
the  person  entrusted  with  the  keeping  of  your 
cabinet  may  immediately  commence  his  corre- 
spondence with  Mr.  Peale  by  sending  a  list  of  his 
wants  in  every  line,  which,  to  the  extent  of  Mr. 
Peale 's  opportunities,  will  be  speedily  complied  with. 
I  willingly  offer  to  your  Royal  Highness  the  con- 
tinuance of  my  attentions  to  the  fulfilment  of  your 
wishes  whenever  I  can  be  useful  to  you. 

Perhaps  when  we  see  how  far  your  wants  go 
beyond  the  faculties  of  Mr.  Peale,  I  may  be  able 
to  find  some  other  who  may  make  up  his  deficiencies. 
In  the  meantime  permit  me  to  pay  my  personal 
tribute  to  science  and  to  your  Royal  Highness 's 
dispositions  to  promote  it,  by  depositing  in  your 
cabinet  a  tooth  of  the  great  animal  called  in  Europe 
the  mammoth,  of  which  we  find  remains  in  the 
interior  and  uninhabited  parts  of  this  country; 
their  great  distance  from  us  renders  them  rare  and 
difficult  to  be  obtained.  This  curiosity  is  now  on 
its  way  to  this  place  and  will  be  put  into  the  hands 
of  the  Minister  of  his  Catholic  Majesty  for  you, 
to  be  forwarded  as  you  direct. 

It  is  now  encumbent  on  me  to  make  some  apology 
for  the  delay  in  this  answer.  I  live  far  hence  in 
the  interior  country  and  therefore  was  late  in 
receiving  your  letter.  The  circumstance  of  distance, 
too,  lengthened  the  negotiations  with  Mr.  Peale. 
I  then  wished  to  accompany  my  answer  with  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  ^9 


tooth  before  mentioned  of  the  enormous  quadruped 
which  once  inhabited  this  country,  and  with  an 
account  of  a  recent  discovery  of  the  remains  of 
a  carnivorous  animal  four  or  five  times  as  large 
as  a  lion,  found  in  the  western  parts  of  Virginia; 
this  account  will  make  part  of  a  volume  of  our 
philosophical  transactions  now  in  the  press,  but 
not  being  yet  printed  and  returning  myself  shortly 
from  hence  to  my  ordinary  residence  in  Virginia, 
I  have  determined  to  make  a  subsequent  mission 
of  that  and  no  longer  to  withhold  acknowledg- 
ments I  owe,  and  the  homage  of  those  sentiments 
of  respect  and  attachment  with  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  be  your  Royal  Highness 's  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  GOVERNOR  JAMES  MONROE. 

Philadelphia,  April  13,  1800. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  6th  came  to  hand 
last  night.  Mr.  Erving  had  left  town  two  days 
before.  However,  it  will  go  to-morrow  morning 
by  a  private  hand ;  it  will  much  more  than  satisfy 
him ;  I  am  persuaded  he  will  receive  it  with  extreme 
pleasure. 

I  either  expressed  myself  badly  in  my  letter, 
or  you  have  understood  expressions  too  generally. 
I  never  doubted  the  propriety  of  our  adopting  as 
a  system  that  of  pomp  and  fulsome  attentions  by 
our  citizens  to  their  functionaries.    I  am  decidedly 


Jefferson's  Works 


against  it,  as  it  makes  the  citizen  in  his  own  eye 
exalting  his  functionary  and  creating  a  distance 
between  the  two,  which  does  not  tend  to  aid  the 
morals  of  either.  I  think  it  a  practice  which  we 
ought  to  destroy  and  must  destroy  and,  therefore, 
must  not  adopt  as  a  general  thing  even  for  a  short 
time.  My  query  was  meant  for  the  single  spot  of 
Richmond,  where  I  understood  was  a  great  deal 
of  federation  and  Marshallism,  and  this  latter  spirit 
I  thought  nothing  should  be  spared  to  eradicate. 
I  did  not  know  whether  [at]  every  reiteration  of  repub- 
licanism, demonstration  might  not  be  a  service 
toward  drawing  over  his  less  inveterate  supporters. 

However,  I  own  to  you  the  letter  had  hardly 
gone  out  of  my  hand  before  I  convinced  myself 
that  it  was  more  in  our  spirit  to  let  things  come  to 
rights  by  the  plain  dictates  of  common  sense  than 
by  the  practice  of  any  artifices;  and  that  at  any 
rate  I  ought  not  to  take  a  part  in  them,  as  therefore 
I  had  never  suggested  the  thought  but  to  you  at 
that  time,  as  I  have  done  it  to  no  one  since.  You 
have  seen  the  bills  lately  rejected  by  the  Senate; 
they  have  brought  in  a  bill  leaving  all  the  states 
tolerably  free  to  model  the  federal  as  well  as  the 
state  juries,  but  whether  they  will  pass  it  is  another 
question.  It  is  believed  the  bill  for  electing  the 
President  and  Vice-President  will  pass  the  lower 
House  in  its  caucus  form.  I  think  we  shall  rise  the 
first  or  second  week  in  May.  We  have  no  news 
from  Europe  at  all  interesting.    The  elections  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  121 

Massachusetts  will  be  known  in  a  few  days  and 
that  of  the  city  of  New  York  soon  after  it.  I  am 
of  the  opinion  the  republicans  there  have  been 
much  too  sanguine  as  to  the  issue  of  this  last.  Pre- 
sent my  salutations  and  esteem  and  respect  to  Mrs. 
Monroe  and  accept  my  assurance  of  my  constant 
affection  to  yourself.  Adieu. 


TO  ANDREW  ELLICOTT. 

Washington,  December  18,  1800. 

Dear  Sir, — I  received  a  letter  before  I  left  home 
— your  favor  of  Oct.  17 — as  I  had  in  due  time  the 
preceding  one.  Attractive  nature  and  the  country 
employments  are  my  apology  to  my  friends  for 
being  a  very  unpunctual  correspondent  while  at 
home;  having  no  refuge  here  from  my  room  and 
writing-table,  it  is  here  that  I  fetch  the  less  easy 
of  my  correspondence.  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  are 
for  printing  your  journal.  It  will  be  a  great  grati- 
fication to  see  it.  I  cannot  suppose  the  adminis- 
tration can  have  any  objection  to  the  publication 
of  the  charts,  etc.  My  own  opinion  is  that  govern- 
ment should  by  all  means  in  their  power  deal  out 
the  material  of  information  to  the  public  in  order 
that  it  may  be  reflected  back  on  themselves  in 
the  various  forms  into  which  public  ingenuity 
may  throw  it. 

Mr.  Dunbar  has  been  so  kind  as  to  pass  through 


122  Jefferson's  Works 

my  hand  a  copy  of  his  journal  made  for  the  use 
of  a  friend  of  his  in  London.  He  sent  it  open  for 
my  perusal  with  a  request  to  read  and  forward  it. 

I  am  happy  to  see  that  the  location  of  the 
boundary  has  been  so  scientifically  executed.  He 
gives  a  physical  account  of  the  country  which  is 
interesting. 

I  think  you  had  it  in  contemplation  to  establish 
an  accurate  meridian  at  this  place,  but  whether  in 
one  of  the  public  buildings  or  where  else  I  do  not 
recollect;  was  it  done,  or  is  there  anything  here 
which  will  procure  the  meridian  as  found  and 
worked  on  by  you? 

The  election  is  under  dilemma ;  the  two  republican 
candidates  are  probably  even,  and  the  states  in 
Congress  which  are  federal  are  disposed  to  take 
advantage  of  that  circumstance  to  prevent  an 
election  by  Congress  and  permit  the  government 
of  the  Union  to  be  suspended  for  want  of  a  head. 
This  tells  us  who  are  entitled  to  the  appellation  of 
anarchists  with  which  they  have  so  liberally  branded 
others.    Accept  assurances  of  perfect  esteem. 


TO  GENERAL  THADDEUS  KOSCIUSKO. 

Washington,  March  14,  1801. 

Dear  General, — I  enclose  you  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Barnes  on  the  subject  of  your  affairs  here.  A  loan 
at  interest  of  8  per  cent  having  been  proposed  by 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        12 3 


our  government,  I  thought  it  better  to  convert  a 
part  of  your  bank  stock  into  that,  which  was  done  to 
advantage.  All  the  details  are  in  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Barnes,  who  is  worthy  of  all  confidence.  This  will 
be  handed  you  by  our  friend,  Mr.  Dawson.  I  cannot 
hail  you  with  confidence  on  the  return  of  our  fellow- 
citizens  to  the  principles  of  '76  and  to  their  thorough 
understanding  of  the  artifices  which  have  been  played 
off  on  them  and  under  the  operation  of  which  they 
were  while  you  were  here.  They  are  sensible  of  the 
dangers  into  which  they  were  suffering  themselves 
to  be  meshed  and  see  the  burdens  of  debt  which  they 
have  imposed  on  them.  The  people  have  come  over 
in  a  body  to  the  republican  side  and  have  left  such 
of  their  leaders  as  were  incurable  to  stand  by  them- 
selves; so  that  there  is  every  reason  to  hope  that  that 
love  of  party  division  which  so  counts  here  will  be 
totally  obliterated.  It  would  give  me  exquisite 
pleasure  to  have  you  here  a  witness  to  our  country 
and  to  recognize  the  people  whom  you  knew  during 
the  war.  For  all  particulars  I  refer  you  to  Mr.  Daw- 
son, who,  being  an  actor  in  the  scene,  can  give  you 
all  the  details. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  learn  your  exact  situation 
since  you  were  here.  Your  letters  are  too  barren  of 
what  I  wish  most  to  hear,  I  mean  of  things  relating 
to  yourself.  I  am  in  constant  expectation  of  receiv- 
ing your  commission  to  buy  the  one  hundred  acres 
of  land  for  you  in  my  neighborhood.  I  am  fixed 
here,  however,  for  some  time.    Continue  to  preserve 


12 a  Jefferson's  Works 


my  place  in  your  esteem  and  accept  assurances  of 
my  constant  and  affectionate  friendship. 

P.  S.    At  this  moment  Mr.  R  appears  and 

delivers  me  your  letter  of  which  he  is  the  bearer. 


TO  JAMES  MADISON. 

Washington,  April  30,  1801. 

I  hasten  the  return  of  the  bearer  that  he  may  meet 
you  at  Brown's  and  convey  you  information  as  to  the 
road.  From  Songster's  I  tried  the  road  by  Ravens- 
worth,  which  comes  into  the  turnpike  road  four  and 
a  half  miles  below  Fairfax  courthouse.  There  are 
about  two  miles  of  it  which,  I  think,  cannot  be  passed 
by  your  carriage  without  oversetting ;  and  consulting 
with  Colonel  Wren,  who  knows  both  roads,  he  says 
there  is  no  comparison,  that  you  must  absolutely 
come  by  Fairfax  courthouse,  all  that  road  being 
practicable  till  you  come  to  Little's  lane,  which  you 
have  to  encounter  whatever  way  you  come.  I  passed 
it  yesterday,  a  wagon  being  then  stuck  fast  in  it,  nor 
do  I  suppose  any  four-wheeled  carriage  could  then 
have  got  through  the  spot  where  the  wagon  was 
without  stalling.  But  two  days  of  wind  and  sun 
will  by  to-morrow  make  immense  odds  in  it,  so  that 
I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  pass  it. 

I  met  with  Mr.  Gaines  and  a  Mr.  Beauspoke  at 
Brown's.  They  live  near.  I  spoke  of  the  difficulty 
of  your  getting  up  the  Bull-Run  hill.    They  agreed 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       12  5 


to  take  each  a  horse  and  draw  your  carriage  up. 
Accept  their  offer  by  all  means,  as  however  steady 
your  horses  they  will  be  in  the  utmost  peril  of  balking, 
and  should  they  once  begin  there  are  other  hills  suf- 
ficient to  make  them  give  you  a  great  deal  of  vexation. 
The  Bull-Run  hill  is  really  the  worst  I  ever  saw  on  a 
public  road.  Still,  let  nothing  tempt  you  to  go  by 
Centersville,  as  on  that  route  the  whole  is  cut  by 
wagons  into  mud  holes.  From  Brown's  to  Fairfax 
courthouse  you  have  fourteen  miles  of  very  firm  road, 
only  hilly  in  the  beginning.  You  had  better  start  as 
soon  as  you  can  see  to  drive,  breakfast  at  Colonel 
Wren's  and  come  on  here  to  dinner.  We  shall  wait 
for  you  till  4  o'clock.  My  respects  to  Mrs.  Madison, 
and  affectionate  esteem  to  yourself. 

P.  S.  I  before  mentioned  to  you  what  I  had  written 
to  Leiper  on  the  subject  of  our  letter.  I  have  received 
no  answer.  The  same  letter  said  something  of  his 
disappointment  of  office.  I  suspect  it  has  not  pleased 
him.  I  own  I  have  thought  something  of  his  silence, 
were  it  only  on  account  of  the  use  Callender  is  making 
of  his  name. 


TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Washington,  May  23,  1801. 
My  Dear  Sir, — After  your  refusal  of  the  office  of 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  it  was  proposed  to  Captain 
Jones,  of  Philadelphia,  who  in  like  manner  declined 


I26  Jefferson's  Works 


it.  General  Smith  then  agreed  to  perform  the  duties 
without  being  appointed  or  receiving  any  reward. 
He  has  nearly  completed  the  requisitions  of  the  law 
on  a  surmise  that  Captain  Jones  might  give  a  different 
answer  on  a  second  application.  I  proposed  it  to 
him  again,  and  he  again  declined  it.  I  now  learn  that 
it  is  thought  possible  that  you  might  be  induced  to 
relieve  our  distress  by  undertaking  it.  I  lose  not  a 
moment,  therefore,  in  proposing  it  to  you.  The 
labors  of  reformation  and  of  ultimately  disposing  of 
the  vessels  will  all  be  over  to  your  hand.  The  resi- 
dence here  is  very  pleasant,  indeed  a  charming  society 
and  not  too  much  of  it,  all  living  on  affectionate 
and  unceremonious  terms.  It  is  impossible  to  be 
associated  with  more  agreeable  colleagues.  I  hope, 
therefore,  that  you  wTill  undertake  the  office,  and 
so  say  by  return  of  post.  The  commission  shall  be 
forwarded  on  receiving  your  answer;  and  we  shall 
entertain  the  hope  of  seeing  Mrs.  Langdon  and 
yourself  as  soon  after  as  your  convenience  will 
admit.  Accept  assurances  of  my  constant  esteem 
and  high  consideration. 

§ 

TO  JAMES  MONROE. 

Washington,  March  31,  1802. 
Dear  Sir, — Yours  of  the  21st  is  duly  received. 
Chisolm  is  now  engaged  in  running  up  for  me  twenty 
brick  pilasters  to  my  offices,  wThich  take  about  four 
thousand  bricks,  and  I  remember  it  was  very  doubt- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *27 


ful  whether  we  had  that  number.  But  if  there  be 
as  many  over  it  as  you  need,  they  are  at  your  service, 
and  I  will  give  orders  accordingly  by  the  next  post. 
I  expect  to  be  there  myself  within  ten  days  after  the 
rising  of  Congress,  and  to  remain  a  fortnight.  Per- 
haps one  of  your  plantation  visits  may  be  so  timed 
as  to  fall  in  with  mine,  say  the  first  week  in  May. 
I  have  not  written  to  you  on  the  resolutions  of  the 
assembly  respecting  slaves,  because  it  does  not  press, 
and  the  issue  of  the  affairs  of  St.  Domingo  may  influ- 
ence the  question.  I  would  rather,  too,  defer  it  till 
we  can  have  a  conversation  and  concur  in  the  trail 
to  be  pursued.  I  have  received  a  statement  from 
Gouverneur  Morris  on  the  case  of  Houdon.  It  gives 
us  little  insight  into  it.  I  have  papers  at  Monticello 
which  I  think  will  throw  some  light  on  the  subject. 
I  suspend  answering  your  letter,  therefore,  respecting 
this  until  I  shall  have  visited  Monticello. 

The  British  convention  is  before  the  Senate.  It 
commutes  the  sixth  article  4,600,000  pounds  sterling 
payable  in  three  annual  instalments.  It  will  meet 
opposition  there,  and  in  the  other  House  when  an 
appropriation  is  asked.  It  would  be  very  ill  judged 
not  to  close,  for  it  would  revive  their  claim  of  twenty 
odd  millions  of  dollars  awarded  by  the  commissioners, 
which  they  would  hold  as  a  rod  forever  over  our  heads, 
*to  operate  on  our  seaport  towns  and  even  on  Congress 
at  will.  It  is  now  settled  by  our  predecessors ;  if  the 
bargain  be  hard,  it  is  their  work.  That  it  is  not  more 
hard  has  been  the  effect  of  our  measures.    If  this  be 


128  Jefferson's  Works 

given  up  it  can  never  be  settled  but  by  war.  Affec- 
tionate and  respectful  salutations  to  Mrs.  Monroe  and 
yourself. 


TO  ABRAHAM  BALDWIN. 

Washington,  April  14,  1802. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have  prepared  a  catalogue  for  the 
Library  of  Congress  in  conformity  with  your  ideas 
that  books  of  entertainment  are  not  within  the  scope 
of  it,  and  that  books  in  other  languages,  where  there 
are  not  translations  of  them,  are  to  be  admitted 
freely.  I  have  confined  the  catalogue  to  those 
branches  of  science  which  belong  to  the  delibera- 
tions of  the  members  as  statesmen,  and  in  these  have 
omitted  those  desirable  books,  ancient  and  modern, 
which  gentlemen  generally  have  in  their  private 
libraries,  but  which  cannot  properly  claim  a  place 
in  a  collection  made  merely  for  the  purposes  of 
reference. 

In  history  I  have  confined  the  histories  to  the 
chronological  works  which  give  facts  and  dates  with 
a  minuteness  not  to  be  found  in  narrations  composed 
for  agreeable  reading.  Under  the  laws  of  nature 
and  nations  I  have  put  down  everything  I  know  of 
worth  possessing,  because  this  is  a  branch  of  science 
often  under  the  discussion  of  Congress,  and  the  books 
written  on  it  not  to  be  found  in  private  libraries.  In 
law  I  set  down  only  general  treatises  for  the  purpose 
of  reference.    The  discussions  under  this  head  in 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  I29 


Congress  are  rarely  so  minute  as  to  require  or  admit 
that  reports  and  special  treatises  should  be  intro- 
duced. The  Parliamentary  section  I  have  imagined 
should  be  complete.  It  is  only  by  having  a  law  of 
proceeding,  and  by  every  member  having  the  means 
of  understanding  it  for  himself  and  appealing  to  it, 
that  he  can  be  protected  against  caprice  and  despot- 
ism in  the  chair.  The  two  great  encyclopaedias 
form  a  complete  supplement  for  the  sciences  omitted 
in  the  general  collection,  should  occasion  happen  to 
arise  for  recurring  to  them.  I  have  added  a  set  of 
dictionaries  in  the  different  languages,  which  may 
be  often  wanting.  This  catalogue,  combined  with 
what  you  may  approve  in  those  offered  by  others, 
will  enable  you  to  form  your  general  plan  and  to 
select  from  it  every  year  to  the  amount  of  the  annual 
fund  of  those  most  wanting.  I  have  omitted  on  it 
those  which,  by  the  printed  catalogue,  I  find  you 
already  possess.  In  estimating  the  amount  of  an 
annual  selection,  folios  may  be  stated  as  costing  one 
and  a  half  guineas,  quartos  a  guinea,  octavos  12  /  - 
twelvemos  4/-  in  England,  and  in  France  three- 
fourths  of  those  prices,  in  neat  but  not  splendid 
bindings.  Accept  assurances  of  my  respect  and 
friendly  consideration. 


VOL.  XIX — 9 


*3°  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  THOMAS  LAW. 

Washington,  May  31,  1802. 

Dear  Sir, — I  received,  yesterday  evening,  your 
letter  of  the  23d  inst.  informing  me  of  the  death 
of  Mrs.  Washington,  and  I  received  it  with  great 
and  sincere  concern.  An  acquaintance  of  five  and 
twenty  years,  in  times  and  circumstances  of  great 
and  trying  aspect,  had  made  me  a  witness  of  her 
constant  course  in  whatsoever  was  benevolent  and 
virtuous  in  life,  had  marked  her  in  my  judgment 
as  one  of  the  most  estimable  of  women,  and  had 
inspired  me  with  an  affectionate  and  respectful 
attachment  to  her.  This  lesson  is  more  felt,  too, 
as  it  renews  the  memory  of  a  preceding  one  of 
a  worthy,  of  that  degree  which  Providence  with 
its  divine  dispensations  sees  fit  rarely  to  bestow 
on  us,  whose  services  in  the  cause  of  man  had 
justly  endeared  him  to  the  world  and  whose  name 
still  is  among  the  latest  monuments  of  the  age 
wherein  he  lived,  which  time  will  extinguish. 

My  own  sense  of  these  losses  enables  me  to  sym- 
pathize sincerely  in  the  afflictions  of  the  family, 
to  whom  I  pray  you  to  tender  assurances,  and  to 
accept  them  yourself,  of  my  highest  esteem  and 
respect. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  I3I 


TO  WILLIAM  DUNBAR. 

Washington,  March  3,  1803. 

Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  8th  of  January  has 
been  received  and  I  have  to  return  you  thanks 
for  the  two  vocabularies.  The  memoir  of  Mr. 
Durald  has  been  forwarded  to  the  Philosophical 
Society.  We  shall  be  happy  to  see  your  history 
of  the  Mississippi  completed,  as  it  is  becoming  one 
of  the  most  interesting  parts  of  our  country.  The 
only  one  where  some  of  the  tropical  productions 
can  be  mantained  (?)  among  us.  *  *  *  *  had  only 
a  little  mistaken  the  information  I  gave  him  *  #.  *  * 
was  not  that  you  were  removing  altogether,  but 
that  you  meant  shortly  to  take  a  trip  to  Europe 
which  I  had  understood  from  some  other  person 
*  *  *  *  yourself. 

The  late  interruption  of  our  commerce  at  New 
Orleans  by  the  Spanish  Intendant,  combined  with 
the  change  of  proprietors  which  Louisiana  certainly, 
and  the  Floridas  possibly,  are  immediately  to  under- 
go have  produced  a  great  sensation  here;  while 
some  have  wished  to  make  it  the  immediate  cause 
of  war  which  might  damage  our  finances  and 
embarrass  the  administration  of  our  government, 
which,  in  the  state  of  their  political  passions,  would 
be  a  countervail  for  the  most  serious  public  extrem- 
ities, we  have  pursued  what  we  believe  a  more 
certain  and  more  speedy  means  of  restoring  per- 
manently the   rights   and   conveniences  of  our 


132  Jefferson's  Works 


commerce,  v/hether  we  may  succeed  in  the  acqui- 
sition of  the  island  of  New  Orleans  and  the  Floridas 
peaceably  for  a  price  far  short  of  the  expense  of 
a  war,  we  cannot  say.  But  that  we  shall  obtain 
peaceably  an  immediate  and  firm  re-establishment 
of  all  our  rights  under  the  Spanish  treaty  every 
circumstance  known  to  us  leads  us  to  believe. 
If  contrary  to  expectations  war  should  be  necessary 
to  restore  our  rights,  it  is  surely  prudent  to  take 
a  little  time  for  availing  ourselves  of  the  division 
of  Europe  to  strengthen  ourselves  for  that  war. 
Nothing  but  the  failure  of  every  peaceable  mode 
of  redress,  nothing  but  dire  necessity,  should  force 
us  from  the  path  of  peace  which  would  be  our 
wisest  pursuit,  to  embark  in  the  broils  and  con- 
tentions of  Europe  and  become  a  satellite  to  any 
power  there.  Yet  this  must  be  the  consequence 
if  we  fail  in  all  possible  means  of  re-establishing 
our  rights  were  we  to  enter  into  the  war  alone. 
The  Mississippi  would  be  blockaded  at  least  during 
the  continuance  of  that  war  by  a  superior  naval 
power,  and  all  our  Western  States  be  deprived  of 
their  commerce  unless  they  would  surrender  them- 
selves to  the  blockading  power. 

Great  endeavors  have  been  used  from  this  quarter 
to  inflame  the  western  people  to  take  possession 
of  New  Orleans  without  looking  forward  to  the 
use  they  could  make  of  it  with  a  blockaded  river, 
but  I  trust  they  will  be  unable,  that  a  peaceable 
redress  will  be  quickest  and  most  for  their  interests. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  133 


We  shall  endeavor  to  procure  the  Indian  right  of 
soil,  as  soon  as  they  can  be  prevailed  on  to  part 
with  it,  the  whole  left  bank  of  the  Mississippi  to 
a  respectable  breadth,  and  encourage  a  prompt 
settlement,  and  thereby  plant  on  the  Mississippi 
itself  the  means  of  its  own  defense  and  present 
as  strong  a  frontier  as  that  on  our  Eastern  border. 
I  pray  you  to  accept  assurances  of  my  great  esteem 
and  respect. 


TO  DR.  BENJAMIN  RUSH. 

Washington,  April  23,  1803. 

Dear  Sir, — Your  friendly  letter  of  March  12 
was  received  in  due  time  and  with  a  due  sense  of 
its  value.  I  shall  with  confidence  avail  myself  of 
its  general  prescriptions  and  of  the  special  should 
the  state  of  my  health  alter  for  the  worse.  At 
present  it  wears  a  promising  aspect. 

At  length  I  send  you  a  letter  long  due  and  even 
now  but  a  sketch  of  what  I  wished  to  make  it. 
But  your  candor  will  find  my  just  excuse  in  the 
indispensable  occupations  of  my  public  duties.  I 
communicate  a  copy  of  the  syllabus  to  Dr.  Priestley 
in  hope  he  will  extend  his  work  of  Socrates  and 
Jesus  compared.  He  views  a  part  of  the  subject 
differently  from  myself,  but  in  the  main  object 
of  my  syllabus  we  go  perfectly  together.  Accept 
my  affectionate  salutations  and  assurances  of  great 
respect. 


*34 


Jefferson's  Works 


TO  HENRY  DEARBORN. 

MONTICELLO,  AugUSt  23,  1803. 

Dear  Sir, — I  enclose  you  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Simpson  to  Mr.  Madison  showing  very  clearly 
that  our  plan  of  having  the  gun  carriages  for  the 
Emperor  of  Morocco  made  in  Europe  cannot  take 
place.  To  cut  short  still  further  delay  on  this 
subject  I  think  we  must  furnish  them  from  home. 
You  observe  they  must  be  of  the  very  best  and 
fitted  for  land  service.  If  we  have  such  really 
good,  though  wanting  for  our  own  service,  it  will 
be  better  to  send  them  and  immediately  replace 
them  here  by  new  ones.  Otherwise  they  should 
be  made  and  sent  without  delay.  I  think  it  had 
been  agreed  that  you  would  see  to  the  execution 
of  the  business. 

There  is  reason  to  apprehend  that  the  govern- 
ment of  France,  perhaps  not  well  satisfied  with 
its  bargain  with  us,  will  seize  any  pretext  which 
can  be  laid  hold  of  to  annul  the  treaty.  They 
have  exacted  from  our  minister  a  rigorous  regard 
for  dates  which  will  render  it  necessary  for  both 
Houses  of  Congress  to  perform  their  respective 
parts  without  a  day's  delay,  and  with  as  little 
debate  as  possible,  and  that  we  have  a  public 
armed  ship  ready  to  sail  on  the  31st  day  of  October 
to  carry  the  ratification  and  if  possible  the  stock 
to  France.  Perhaps  the  last  of  your  small  vessels 
which  shall  go  to  the  Mediterranean  this  season 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  I35 


may  perform  this  office.  But  whether  this  or  any 
other  will  be  best  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  consider 
and  have  in  readiness.  It  is  best  that  as  little  as 
possible  be  said  as  to  the  constitutional  difficulty 
and  that  on  that  Congress  *  *  *  *  is  necessary 
without  any  explanation.  An  investigation  of  the 
subject  here  among  my  books  satisfies  me  that 
our  right  to  the  river  Perdido  is  solid,  and  to  the 
bay  of  St.  Bernard  very  susceptible  of  being  *  *  *  * 
Livingston  and  Morse  express  a  clear  opinion  as 
to  the  Perdido  and  advise  us  to  act  on  it.  Accept 
my  affectionate  salutations  and  assurances  of  great 
esteem  and  regard. 

P.  S.  When  you  shall  have  read  Simpson's  letter 
be  so  good  as  to  return  it  to  me  with  your  con- 
clusion as  to  the  carriages. 


TO  THE  EMPEROR  OF  MOROCCO. 

Washington,  December  20,  1803. 
Great  and  Good  Friend, — I  learn  with  great 
concern  the  acts  of  violence  which  took  place 
between  some  vessels  of  your  Majesty  and  of  the 
United  States,  and  with  equal  pleasure  that  you 
had  promptly  interposed  and  arrested  the  progress 
of  the  misunderstanding.  This  proof  of  your  dis- 
position to  remain  in  friendship  with  the  United 
States  is  duly  estimated  on  my  part  and  will  be 
reciprocated   on   all   occasions   by  corresponding 


J3<5  Jefferson's  Works 


endeavors  to  preserve  the  peace  and  good  under- 
standing so  happily  subsisting  between  us. 

Separated  by  a  wide  ocean  from  the  nations  of 
Europe,  and  under  circumstances  peculiar  to  our- 
selves, our  practices  and  principles  of  intercourse 
are  not  always  the  same  with  theirs.  All  religions 
are  equally  independent  here,  our  laws  knowing 
no  distinction  of  country,  of  classes  among  indi- 
viduals and  with  nations,  our  *  *  *  *  is  justice 
and  reciprocity.  In  these  principles  of  justice  and 
reciprocity  was  founded  the  treaty  of  peace  and 
friendship  concluded  with  your  Imperial  father 
and  recently  recognized  by  your  Majesty.  In  this 
recognition  I  willingly  concur,  promising  that  the 
stipulations  of  that  treaty  shall  be  faithfully  observed 
on  our  part.  We  shall,  moreover,  avail  ourselves  of 
every  occasion  of  performing  good  offices  to  your 
people  and  of  manifesting  the  cordial  friendship  and 
respect  we  bear  to  the  person  and  character  of  your 
Imperial  Majesty  and  I  pray  God  to  have  you,  great 
and  good  friend,  in  His  safe  and  holy  keeping. 

Done  at  Washington  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  etc. 


TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Washington,  December  22,  1803. 
My  dear  Sir, — The  enclosed  commission  was 
made  out  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  your  recom- 
mendation as  its  date  will  show;  but  as  I  wished 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *37 


to  accompany  it  with  a  line  to  you,  it  has  lain  by 
me  ever  since  waiting  a  moment  of  leisure  to  drop 
you  one.  In  the  meantime  the  law  is  repealed: 
but  this  commission  will  still  do  for  existing  cases. 

I  have  the  happiness  to  assure  you  that  we  shall 
receive  Louisiana  without  opposition,  or  rather 
that  we  have  received  it,  as  we  know  that  our 
troops  embarked  for  Natchez  the  ist  and  2d  instant, 
and  would  arrive  at  New  Orleans  on  the  7  th,  where 
possession  would  be  instantly  delivered,  according 
to  arrangements  agreed  to  between  General  Wil- 
kinson and  the  French  prefect.  This  matter  quietly 
finished,  and  peace  made  with  the  Emperor  of 
Morocco  dictated  by  ourselves,  leaves  nothing  in 
our  horizon  but  the  little  speck  of  Tripoli,  where 
the  substitution  of  Preble  for  Morris  will  probably 
soon  enforce  peace  also.  From  both  the  contending 
powers  of  Europe  we  have  equal  proofs  of  friend- 
ship, but  most  especially  Great  Britain;  we  shall, 
therefore,  I  hope,  be  able  to.mantain  an  impartial 
and  honorable  neutrality.  At  home  we  learn  from 
all  quarters  that  these  measures  have  brought  over 
to  us  nearly  the  whole  of  our  candid  opponents, 
except  in  three  of  the  New  England  States,  and 
in  Delaware;  these  we  trust  will  in  time  be  con- 
vinced also.  This,  my  friend,  is  a  rapid  view  of 
our  affairs,  and  is  as  much  as  incessant  interruption 
and  business  will  permit  me  to  put  on  paper.  Accept 
my  affectionate  salutations  and  assurances  of  con- 
stant esteem. 


J3S  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  GOVERNOR  JOHN  PAGE. 

Washington,  December  23,  1803. 

Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  November  16,  received 
November  26,  is  now  before  me,  and  I  enclose 
you  a  letter  of  Mr.  Gore  which  I  presume  we  may 
consider  as  the  final  result  of  our  endeavor  to 
procure  an  asylum  in  the  colony  of  Sierra  Leone 
for  such  persons  of  the  description  composing  that 
colony  as  we  might  find  it  expedient  to  send  there. 

Since  the  date  of  the  resolution,  which  has  been 
the  subject  of  this  correspondence,  the  aspect  of 
affairs  has  undergone  important  changes.  You  can 
judge  of  the  probability  of  their  settling  down  in 
a  form  which  may  furnish  that  opening  which  the 
resolution  desired.  As  yet,  however,  direct  pro- 
positions for  that  purpose  would  be  permature. 

The  acquisition  of  Louisiana  may  also  procure 
the  opportunity  desired.  This  will  depend  on  the 
manner  in  which  the  Legislature  of  the  Union  will 
dispose  of  that  country.  An  expectation  of  some 
decision  as  to  this  had  induced  me  to  delay  answering 
your  letter  earlier;  but  no  progress  being  yet  made 
in  it,  and  a  fear  that  the  Legislature  of  Virginia 
might  rise  before  definite  arrangements  are  taken 
here,  I  do  not  venture  on  a  further  delay. 

On  the  whole  it  appears  probable  that  St.  Dom- 
inique or  Louisiana  may  open  to  the  Legislature 
of  Virginia  the  resource  which  their  resolution 
contemplated.  Accept  my  affectionate  salutations 
and  assurances  of  great  consideration  and  respect. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *39 


TO  THE  DEY  OF  ALGIERS. 

Washington,  March  27,  1804. 
Great  and  Good  Friend, — I  have  received  your 
letter  of  the  14th  of  October  last  and  in  it  assur- 
ances of  the  continuance  of  your  friendly  disposi- 
tions toward  the  United  States  and  of  your  attach- 
ment to  the  treaty  which  binds  us  together.  These 
assurances  are-  the  more  satisfactory  as  we  also 
are  disposed  to  a  faithful  observance  of  our  treaty, 
which,  settling,  as  between  friends,  a  fixed  measure 
of  what  the  one  is  bound  to  yield  and  the  other  has 
a  right  to  receive,  prevents  requisitions  out  of  the 
provisions  of  the  treaty  which  sometimes  it  is 
inconvenient  and  sometimes  impracticable  to  com- 
ply with. 

Of  the  latter  kind  is  your  request  of  brass  field- 
pieces  from  us.  The  materials  of  which  that  metal 
are  compounded  do  not  exist  in  this  country,  as 
far  as  has  been  yet  discovered.  When  we  have 
occasion  for  anything  of  brass,  we  seek  it  in  the 
countries  of  your  neighborhood.  We  have,  however, 
a  mine  of  iron,  the  only  one  perhaps  which  is  known, 
of  such  quality  as  to  admit  of  field-pieces  to  be 
cast  as  light  and  as  strong  as  brass,  more  durable, 
and  less  costly.  This  we  use  for  field-pieces,  and 
knowing  from  our  own  experience  its  superior  nature 
I  shall  immediately  order  and  send  to  you  those 
you  request,  instead  of  other  articles  of  the  annual 
supplies  stipulated  in  our  treaty.    I  am  persuaded 


I4°  Jefferson's  Works 


that  in  so  doing  I  shall  execute  your  intentions 
to  your  greater  satisfaction.  Adhering  substantially 
to  our  mutual  stipulations,  I  shall,  nevertheless, 
take  a  pleasure  in  any  occasional  modification  of 
that  which  may  suit  your  convenience  and  prove 
our  friendship  to  you. 

I  have  just  learned  with  great  regret  the  loss 

of  the  ship    off  Cadiz,  laden  by  us  with 

naval  stores  for  you.  I  regret  it,  not  so  much 
for  the  value  to  us  as  the  delay  which  our  great 
distance  from  you  will  necessarily  occasion  in 
supplying  the  loss.  Orders,  however,  are  already 
given  to  forward  others  without  loss  of  time. 

I  pray  God,  great  and  good  friend,  to  have  you 
in  His  holy  keeping. 


TO  F.  H.  ALEXANDER  VON  HUMBOLDT. 

Washington,  May  28,  1804. 
Sir, — I  received  last  night  your  favor  of  the 
24th,  and  offer  you  my  congratulations  on  your 
arrival  here  in  good  health,  after  a  tour  in  the 
course  of  which  you  have  been  exposed  to  so  many 
hardships  and  hazards.  The  countries  you  have 
visited  are  of  those  least  known  and  most  interesting, 
and  a  lively  desire  will  be  felt  generally  to  receive 
the  information  you  will  be  able  to  give.  No  one 
will  feel  it  more  strongly  than  myself,  because 
no  one,  perhaps,  views  this  new  world  with  more 
partial  hopes  of    its    exhibiting  an  ameliorated 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  141 

state  of  the  human  condition.  In  the  new  position 
in  which  the  seat  of  our  government  is  fixed,  we 
have  nothing  curious  to  attract  the  observations 
of  a  traveller,  and  can  only  substitute  in  its  place 
the  welcome  with  which  we  should  receive  your 
visit,  should  you  find  it  convenient  to  add  so  much 
to  your  journey. 

Accept,  I  pray  you,  my  respectful  salutations 
and  assurances  of  great  respect  and  consideration. 


to  the  secretary  of  war 
(henry  dearborn). 

Washington,  June  6,  1804. 
The  division  of  Louisiana  into  districts  relating 
to  the  military  as  much  as  to  the  civil  administration, 
will  you  be  so  good  as  to  consider  those  proposed 
by  Governor  Harrison,  and  we  will  then  consider 
the  subject.  My  idea  would  be  not  to  fix  precisely 
the  dividing  line  between  the  districts,  as  we  have 
not  information  enough  for  that,  but  to  use  such 
a  mode  of  designation  for  these  as  we  do  for  the 
consular  districts  in  foreign  countries  where  we 
are  equally  uninformed.  I  would  say,  for  example, 
"the  post  of  St.  Louis  shall  be  the  seat  of  admin- 
istration for  its  district,  which  district  shall  be 
composed  of  all  those  parts  of  Louisiana,  south  of 
the  Missouri,  which  are  nearer  to  St.  Louis  than 
to  any  other  district  seat."  This  lays  off  the  whole 
country  at  once  on  the  principle  of  distance,  which 


J42  Jefferson's  Works 


is  the  chief  ingredient  in  convenience,  modified 
by  the  division  of  a  river  where  that  is  material. 

I  think  the  purchases  of  the  Delawares  and  Pian- 
kishaws,  proposed  by  Governor  Harrison,  very 
interesting  and  that  the  Delawares  might  at  once 
be  informed  that  we  will  purchase,  with  an  annuity 
to  be  paid  to  them  whenever  they  shall  settle; 
but  before  we  can  offer  lands  on  the  other  side 
the  Mississippi  to  any  tribe,  we  should  be  well 
informed  of  the  title  to  lands  there.  Should  it  not 
be  well  to  charge  Governors  Harrison  and  Claiborne 
generally  with  this  inquiry,  and  the  commander  of 
each  station  specially,  as  far  as  his  opportunity 
extends,  and  that  this  be  done  and  reported  to  us 
without  delay?    Affectionate  salutations. 


TO  ALEXANDER,   EMPEROR  OF  RUSSIA. 

Washington,  June  15,  1804. 
Great  and  Good  Friend, — Your  friendly  inter- 
position for  the  relief  of  the  crew  of  an  American 
frigate  stranded  on  the  coast  of  Tripoli  has  been 
recently  made  known  to  me.  For  this  act  of 
benevolence  and  proof  of  your  disposition  to  befriend 
our  young  Republic  its  Secretary  of  State  conveys 
the  official  expression  of  its  sensibility.  But  I 
should  illy  satisfy  my  own  feelings  did  I  not  add 
my  individual  acknowledgments  for  a  favor  directly 
tending  to  facilitate  the  administration  of  affairs 
of  my  country  with  which  I  am  personally  charged. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  x43 

To  the  barbarians  whose  habitual  violations  of 
the  laws  of  nature  have  produced  the  occasion 
of  this  friendly  office,  we  have  sent  expressions 
of  very  different  feelings  by  the  squadron  which 
has  just  left  our  ports  destined  for  theirs.  Should 
the  Commodore  find  that  in  consequence  of  your 
Imperial  Majesty's  interposition,  they  shall  already 
have  done  us  voluntary  justice,  he  will  let  them 
owe  to  your  favor  his  abstinence  from  every  act 
of  force.  Otherwise  he  will  endeavor,  by  the  means 
he  is  furnished  with,  to  convince  them  it  will  be 
their  interest  to  injure  us  no  more. 

I  see  with  great  pleasure  the  rising  commerce 
between  our  two  countries.  We  have  not  gone 
into  the  policy  which  the  European  nations  have 
so  long  tried  and  to  so  little  effect  of  multiplying 
commercial  treaties.  In  national  as  in  individual 
dealings,  more  liberality  will,  perhaps,  be  found  . 
in  voluntary  regulations  than  in  those  which  are 
measured  out  by  the  strict  letter  of  a  treaty,  which, 
whenever  it  becomes  onerous,  is  made  by  forced 
construction  to  mean  anything  or  nothing,  engenders 
disputes  and  brings  on  war.  But  your  flag  will 
find  in  our  harbors  hospitality,  freedom  and  pro- 
tection and  your  subjects  enjoy  all  the  privileges 
of  the  most  favored  nation.  The  favorable  reception 
of  our  consul  at  St.  Petersburg,  and  the  friendly 
sentiments  conveyed  through  your  minister  of 
foreign  affairs,  is  an  earnest  that  our  merchants 
also  will  meet  due  favor  in  your  ports. 


i44  Jefferson's  Works 


I  avail  myself  of  this  occasion  of  expressing  the 
exalted  pleasure  I  have  felt  in  observing  the  various 
acts  of  your  administration  during  the  short  time 
you  have  yet  been  on  the  throne  of  your  country, 
and  seeing  in  them  manifestations  of  the  virtue 
and  wisdom  from  which  they  flow.  What  has 
not  your  country  to  hope  from  a  career  which 
has  begun  from  such  auspicious  developments! 
Sound  principles,  pursued  with  a  steady  step, 
dealing  out  good  progressively  as  your  people  are 
prepared  to  receive  and  to  hold  it  fast,  cannot 
fail  to  carry  them  and  yourself  far  in  the  improve- 
ment of  their  condition  during  the  course  of  your 
life. 

I  pray  to  God  that  it  may  long  continue  for 
their  happiness  and  your  glory,  and  that  too  He 
may  always  have  you  in  His  safe  and  holy  keeping. 


TO  THE  BROTHERS  OF  THE  CHOCTAW  NATION. 

Washington,  March  13,  1805. 
My  Children, — I  learn  with  great  satisfaction 
that  you  have  leased  to  us  three  stations  of  one 
mile  square  each  on  the  road  from  Chickesaws  to 
Natchez,  and  one  on  the  Pearl  river;  and  you  desire 
me  to  send  you  a  paper  under  my  own  hand  to 
show  to  your  warriors  that  these  lands  are  not 
sold  but  lent.  I  now  accordingly  declare  that  the 
property  in  those  lands  remains  in  your  nation, 
that  they  are  lent  to  us  for  a  rent  of  four  hundred 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  x45 


pounds  weight  of  powder  annually,  and  that  your 
nation  has  a  right  to  take  them  back  at  their  pleasure ; 
and  this  paper  now  signed  by  my  own  hand  will 
be  evidence  of  these  things  to  future  generations. 
We  will,  according  to  your  desire,  settle  but  one 
white  family  on  each  section,  and  take  care  that 
they,.,  conduct  themselves  peaceably  and  friendly 
toward  you;  or  being  made  known  to  me  that 
they  do  otherwise  they  shall  be  removed.  They 
will  be  placed  there  merely  for  the  accommodation 
of  our  paper  carriers  and  travellers. 

My  children,  you  have  asked  whether  I  did 
not  promise  to  send  you  ploughs  to  enable  you 
to  improve  in  husbandry?  I  did  promise  it  and 
immediately  sent  the  ploughs;  but  by  a  mistake 
in  forwarding  them,  they  were  delayed  some  time 
before  we  knew  of  it.  You  must,  however,  have 
received  them  before  this  time. 

You  ask  if  I  did  not  promise  to  send  your  deputa- 
tion ten  rifles  for  yourselves  and  other  deserving 
warriors?  I  did  not  promise  it.  You  said  they 
would  be  acceptable,  but  I  said  nothing  in  reply. 
But  although  I  did  not  promise,  yet  to  show  my 
good  will  to  you,  I  will  send  you  the  rifles. 

You  ask  if  we  will  allow  commissions  to  you 
according  to  your  rank  and  medals  and  commis- 
sions to  such  chiefs  as  you  may  appoint  to^  assist 
in  the  government  of  your  country?  It  has  not 
been  a  custom  with  us  to  give  commissions  to  our 
friends  among  the  red  men;  and  it  is  a  new  thing. 

VOL.   XIX  IO   


*4<S  Jefferson's  Works 


We  will  take  it  into  consideration.  We  wish  to 
do  what  is  agreeable  to  you,  if  we  find  we  can  do 
it  with  prudence. 

We  shall  be  willing  to  give  medals  to  a  certain 
number  of  distinguished  chiefs  who  aid  you  in 
the  government  of  your  country,  and  who  mani- 
fest dispositions  to  preserve  peace  and  friendship 
between  your  nation  and  ours.  We  wish  you, 
therefore,  to  recommend  such  to  us. 

My  children,  persevere  in  your  friendship  to 
the  United  States.  We  will  never  injure  you 
nor  permit  you  to  be  injured  by  any  white  people, 
and  we  trust  you  will  take  care  that  none  of  our 
people  are  injured  by  yours.  Encourage  among 
you  the  cultivation  of  the  earth,  raising  of  cattle, 
spinning  and  weaving,  and  we  will  assist  you  in 
it.  With  plenty  of  food  and  clothing  you  will 
raise  many  children,  multiply,  be  strong  and  happy. 
May  the  Great  Spirit  protect  and  prosper  you  in 
all  your  just  pursuits.  Farewell. 


TO  THE  CHIEFS  OF  THE  CHEROKEE  NATION.1 

Washington,  January  10,  1806. 
My  Friends  and  Children,  chiefly  of  the 
Cherokee  Nation, — Having  now  finished  our  busi- 
ness and  finished  it  I  hope  to  mutual  satisfaction, 
I  cannot  take  leave  of  you  without  expressing  the 

1  This  letter  is  one  of  the  finest  examples  of  Jefferson's  written 
communications  to  the  Aborigines, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *47 


satisfaction  I  have  received  from  your  visit.  I 
see  with  my  own  eyes  that  the  endeavors  we  have 
been  making  to  encourage  and  lead  you  in  the 
way  of  improving  your  situation  have  not  been 
unsuccessful;  it  has  been  like  grain  sown  in  good 
ground,  producing  abundantly.  You  are  becoming 
farmers,  learning  the  use  of  the  plough  and  the 
hoe,  enclosing  your  grounds  and  employing  that 
labor  in  their  cultivation  which  you  formerly 
employed  in  hunting  and  in  war;  and  I  see  hand- 
some specimens  of  cotton  cloth  raised,  spun  and 
wove  by  yourselves.  You  are  also  raising  cattle 
and  hogs  for  your  food,  and  horses  to  assist  your 
labors.  Go  on,  my  children,  in  the  same  way  and 
be  assured  the  further  you  advance  in  it  the  happier 
and  more  respectable  you  will  be. 

Our  brethren,  whom  you  have  happened  to 
meet  here  from  the  West  and  Northwest,  have 
enabled  you  to  compare  your  situation  now  with 
what  it  was  formerly.  They  also  make  the  com- 
parison, and  they  see  how  far  you  are  ahead  of 
them,  and  seeing  what  you  are  they  are  encouraged 
to  do  as  you  have  done.  You  will  find  your  next 
want  to  be  mills  to  grind  your  corn,  which  by 
relieving  your  women  from  the  loss  of  time  in 
beating  it  into  meal,  will  enable  them  to  spin  and 
weave  more.  When  a  man  has  enclosed  and 
improved  his  farm,  builds  a  good  house  on  it  and 
raised  plentiful  stocks  of  animals,  he  will  wish 
when  he  dies  that  these  things  shall  go  to  his  wife 


148  Jefferson's  Works 


and  children,  whom  he  loves  more  than  he  does 
his  other  relations,  and  for  whom  he  will  work 
with  pleasure  during  his  life.  You  will,  there- 
fore, find  it  necessary  to  establish  laws  for  this. 
When  a  man  has  property,  earned  by  his  own 
labor,  he  will  not  like  to  see  another  come  and 
take  it  from  him  because  he  happens  to  be  stronger, 
or  else  to  defend  it  by  spilling  blood.  You  will 
find  it  necessary  then  to  appoint  good  men,  as 
judges,  to  decide  contests  between  man  and  man, 
according  to  reason  and  to  the  rules  you  shall 
establish.  If  you  wish  to  be  aided  by  our  counsel 
and  experience  in  these  things  we  shall  always 
be  ready  to  assist  you  with  our  advice. 

My  children,  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  advise 
you  against  spending  all  your  time  and  labor  in 
warring  with  and  destroying  your  fellow-men, 
and  wasting  your  own  members.  You  already 
see  the  folly  and  iniquity  of  it.  Your  young  men, 
however,  are  not  yet  sufficiently  sensible  of  it. 
Some  of  them  cross  the  Mississippi  to  go  and 
destroy  people  who  have  never  done  them  an  injury. 
My  children,  this  is  wrong  and  must  not  be;  if 
we  permit  them  to  cross  the  Mississippi  to  war 
with  the  Indians  on  the  other  side  of  that  river, 
we  must  let  those  Indians  cross  the  river  to  take 
revenge  on  you.  I  say  again,  this  must  not  be. 
The  Mississippi  now  belongs  to  us.  It  must  not 
be  a  river  of  blood.  It  is  now  the  water-path 
along  which  all  our  people  of  Natchez,  St.  Louis, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  149 


Indiana,  Ohio,  Tennessee,  Kentucky  and  the  western 
parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  are  constantly 
passing  with  their  property,  to  and  from  New 
Orleans.  Young  men  going  to  war  are  not  easily 
restrained.  Finding  our  people  on  the  river  they 
will  rob  them,  perhaps  kill  them.  This  would 
bring  on  a  war  between  us  and  you.  It  is  bettei 
to  stop  this  in  time  by  forbidding  your  young 
men  to  go  across  the  river  to  make  war.  If  they  go 
to  visit  or  to  live  with  the  Cherokees  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river  we  shall  not  object  to  that.  That 
country  is  ours.  We  will  permit  them  to  live  in  it. 

My  children,  this  is  what  I  wished  to  say  to  you. 
To  go  on  in  learning  to  cultivate  the  earth  and 
to  avoid  war.  If  any  of  your  neighbors  injure 
you,  our  beloved  men  whom  we  place  with  you 
will  endeavor  to  obtain  justice  for  you  and  we 
will  support  them  in  it.  If  any  of  your  bad  people 
injure  your  neighbors,  be  ready  to  acknowledge 
it  and  to  do  them  justice.  It  is  more  honorable  to 
repair  a  wrong  than  to  persist  in  it.  Tell  all  your 
chiefs,  your  men,  women  and  children,  that  I  take 
them  by  the  hand  and  hold  it  fast.  That  I  am 
their  father,  wish  their  happiness  and  well-being, 
and  am  always  ready  to  promote  their  good. 

My  children,  I  thank  you  for  your  visit  and  pray 
to  the  Great  Spirit  who  made  us  all  and  planted  us  all 
in  this  land  to  live  together  like  brothers  that  He 
will  conduct  you  safely  to  your  nomes,  and  grant  you 
to  find  your  families  and  your  friends  in  good  health. 


i5°  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON. 

Washington,  January  16,  1806. 

Dear  Sir, — Your  several  unanswered  letters  of 
June  18,  August  29,  November  12  and  20,  prove 
me  an  unpunctual  correspondent.  It  is  not  because 
I  do  less  than  I  might  do,  but  that  I  have  more  than 
I  can  do.  I  will  now  summarily  reply  to  their  several 
articles.  And  first  I  pray  you  to  deliver  to  the  legis- 
lature the  inclosed  letter  in  answer  to  the  address 
they  favored  me  with.  Of  the  two  persons  chosen  to 
supply  the  place  of  Mr.  Hay  in  the  legislative  council 
I  nominated  Mr.  Bond,  which  nomination  has  been, 
with  others,  three  weeks  before  the  Senate.  So  has 
that  of  Judge  Griffin,  for  the  Michigan  territory.  I 
am  told  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  Senate  will  con- 
firm the  last.  I  have  earnestly  inculcated  the  neces- 
sity of  raising  the  salaries  of  the  territorial  governors 
and  judges  and  it  will  be  attempted  this  session, 
but  with  what  success  is  very  doubtful. 

The  British  have  clearly  no  right  to  trade  with 
the  Indians  in  Louisiana.  It  is  therefore  decided 
to  keep  that  trade  to  ourselves  as  the  only  means 
of  governing  those  Indians  peaceably.  This  will 
render  it  important  to  be  particularly  friendly  to 
the  Sacs,  Foxes,  Kickapoos,  Sioux,  and  other 
Indians  residing  on  the  border  between  the  British 
and  us  and  by  taking  their  pelts  and  furs  at  higher 
prices  and  selling  them  goods  at  lower  prices  than 
the  trade  will  bear  without  loss,  to  let  them  see 
their  own  interest  in  an  exclusive  adhesion  to  us. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  I51 


What  we  lose  with  them  we  must  make  up  from 
other  quarters,  our  principle  being  neither  to  gain 
nor  lose  on  the  whole  Indian  trade  together. 

The  late  stroke  of  Pottawottomies  on  the  Osages 
must  be  strongly  reprimanded  and  no  exertion 
spared  to  recover  and  restore  the  prisoners  and 
make  satisfaction  for  the  killed.  The  Indians  on 
this  side  the  Mississippi  must  understand  that 
that  river  is  now  ours  and  it  is  not  to  be  a  river 
of  blood.  If  we  permit  them  on  this  side  to  cross 
it  to  war  against  the  other  side  we  must  permit 
the  other  side  to  come  over  to  this  for  revenge. 
The  safety  of  our  settlements  will  not  admit  of 
this  and  in  the  present  case  of  Pottawottomies  they 
should  be  made  to  understand  that  unless  they 
make  to  the  Osages  every  satisfaction  in  their 
power  and  satisfy  us  they  will  cease  crossing  the 
Mississippi  to  war  on  nations  which  never  injured 
them,  we  may  give  a  free  passage  and  support 
to  the  Osages  to  come  over  and  take  such  revenge 
as  will  glut  them.  But  it  is  from  the  Secretary 
of  War  that  you  will  receive  what  is  to  be  considered 
as  official,  and  as  your  guide  in  this  business.  Among 
the  Mississippi  Indians  now  here  is  one  Pottawot- 
tomi  chief.  Nothing  has  yet  been  said  to  him 
on  this  subject,  but  some  explanations  will  take 
place  before  he  leaves  us,  which  probably  will 
not  be  till  late  in  February. 

Accept  my  friendly  salutations  and  assurances 
of  great  esteem  and  respect. 


x52  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  THE  REVEREND  DOCTOR  G.  C.  JENNER. 

Monticello,  May  14,  1806. 
Sir, — I  have  received  a  copy  of  the  evidence 
at  large  respecting  the  discovery  of  the  vaccine 
inoculation  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  send 
me,  and  for  which  I  return  you  my  thanks.  Having 
been  among  the  early  converts,  in  this  part  of  the 
globe,  to  its  efficiency,  I  took  an  early  part  in 
recommending  it  to  my  countrymen.  I  avail  my- 
self of  this  occasion  of  rendering  you  a  portion  of 
the  tribute  of  gratitude  due  to  you  from  the  whole 
human  family.  Medicine  has  never  before  pro- 
duced any  single  improvement  of  such  utility. 
Harvey's  discovery  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood  was 
a  beautiful  addition  to  our  knowledge  of  the  animal 
economy,  but  on  a  review  of  the  practice  of  medicine 
before  and  since  that  epoch,  I  do  not  see  any  great 
amelioration  which  has  been  derived  from  that 
discovery.  You  have  erased  from  the  calendaf 
of  human  afflictions  one  of  its  greatest.  Yours 
is  the  comfortable  reflection  that  mankind  can 
never  forget  that  you  have  lived.  Future  nations 
will  know  by  history  only  that  the  loathsome 
small-pox  has  existed  and  by  you  has  been  extir- 
pated. 

Accept  my  fervent  wishes  for  your  health  and 
happiness  and  assurances  of  the  greatest  respect 
and  consideration. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  IS3 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN. 

Washington,  June  21,  1806. 

Judging  by  Price's  survey  of  Ocracock,  the  only 
position  for  the  custom  house  which  seems  to 
come  into  competition  with  the  point  B,  recom- 
mended by  Mr.  Taylor,  is  that  part  of  Beacon 
Island  opposite  to  the  point  marked  a.  But, 
perhaps  Wallace's  channel  may  be  the  most  used. 
The  form  you  propose,  No.  1,  would  include  Beacon 
Island,  and  on  that  account  would  be  preferable, 
as  it  would  give  us  greater  latitude  hereafter  should 
future  representations  prove  a  to  be  a  more  con- 
venient point  than  B.  I  should  prefer  the  mode 
of  designation  used  in  your  form  No.  2,  only  vary- 
ing it  so  as  to  comprehend  Beacon  Island  in  some 
such  way  as  the  following: 

"So  much  of  Ocracock  Inlet  and  of  the  shores 
adjacent  as  is  contained  between  Shellcastle  and 
Beacon  Islands  and  Portsmouth  point,  including  the 
whole  of  the  said  point  which  lies  in  the  district 
of  Ocracock  and  also  the  whole  of  the  said  islands 
and  of  the  grounds  adjacent  to  Shellcastle  Island, 
whereon  a  beacon  or  lighthouse  is  erected,  as  is  the 
property  of  the  United  States." 

But  this  is  barely  suggested  and  left  to  yourself. 
Affectionate  salutations. 


*54  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  PIERRE  AUGUSTE  ADET. 

Washington,  June  29,  1806. 
Sir, — Your  two  letters  of  March  3  and  6  have 
been  duly  received,  and  with  them  the  copy  of 
your  elementary  lessons  in  chemistry  for  which  I 
pray  you  to  accept  my  thanks.  My  occupation 
not  permitting  me  to  read  anything  but  the  papers 
of  the  day,  I  reserve  it  among  the  treasures  to  be 
carried  into  that  retirement  to  which  I  shall  with- 
draw at  the  close  of  my  present  period.  I  hope 
that  in  the  meantime  nothing  will  happen  to  lessen 
that  prosperity  which  results  from  our  external 
peace  and  internal  tranquillity.  The  great  body 
of  our  citizens  being  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of 
agriculture  in  sparse  settlement  ensure  to  us  the 
continuance  of  order  and  good  government.  Our 
sea-port  towns  indeed  have  the  vices  inseparable 
from  crowded  habitations  of  men.  But  they  are 
but  specks  on  the  vast  surface  of  our  country, 
affecting  very  little  the  general  character  of  the 
nation. 

Dr.  Deveze,  who  is  the  subject  of  your  letter 
of  March  3,  had  I  believe  great  merit  in  the  services 
he  rendered  in  Philadelphia  on  the  first  visitation 
of  yellow  fever  in  '93.  The  courage  with  which 
he  exposed  himself  to  it,  when  its  novelty  fright- 
ened away  the  physicians  and  ir.Z.abitants  of  the 
place,  marked  a  mind  of  superior  benevolence. 
He  was  among  the  earliest,  too,  in  noting  the  fact 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  1SS 


that  it  is  not  infectious.  Experience  has  since 
well  established  that  opinion.  Not  but  that  there 
are  still  responsible  physicians  who  maintain  the 
contrary,  supporting  themselves  by  so  extending 
the  definition  of  yellow  fever,  as  to  comprehend 
fevers  having  strong  features  of  distinction.  Still 
it  is  unquestionable  that  that  fever  which  has 
afflicted  our  cities  since  1793  and  is  particularly 
distinguished  by  the  name  yellow  fever,  has  never 
been  communicated  by  going  into  the  particu- 
lar part  of  a  town  where  it  prevails,  and  within 
whose  atmosphere  only  it  can  be  taken.  And 
further,  it  is  certain  that  this  particular  fever  which 
seizes  natives  as  well  as  foreigners,  has  never  ex- 
tended further  south  in  the  United  States  than 
Alexandria.  The  fevers  of  Norfolk,  Charleston  and 
New  Orleans,  which  have  been  gratuitously  called 
yellow  fever,  have  seized  new  comers  only,  not 
natives  or  long  residents,  and  are  truly  classed 
with  autumnal  fevers. 

With  respect  to  Dr.  Deveze's  request  of  some 
acknowledgment  for  his  services,  your  knowledge 
of  our  Constitution  enables  you  to  see  that  the 
General  Government  is  restrained  to  the  exercise 
of  those  powers  only  which  are  enumerated  in 
the  Constitution.  That  all  others  are  reserved  to 
the  State  governments  and  consequently  the 
remuneration  of  discoveries  or  improvements  in 
the  arts  and  sciences,  and  services  rendered  to 
the  public  health,  his  application  can  of  course 


*56  Jefferson's  Works 


be  received  by  the  government  of  Pennsylvania 
only,  to  which  State  the  service  was  rendered. 
The  General  Government  cautiously  refrains  from 
intermeddling  with  the  concerns  of  the  separate 
States. 

I  hope  Dr.  Deveze  will  see  in  these  considerations 
the  obstacles  which  forbid  the  interference  of  our 
National  Government  in  these  cases,  while  in  my 
personal  sentiments  and  esteem  I  render  him  the 
justice  he  merits. 

I  pray  you  to  accept,  yourself,  my  salutations 
and  assurances  of  great  respect  and  esteem. 


TO  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Washington,  December  3,  1806. 
Sir, — I  have  duly  received  your  letter,  proffering 
the  services  of  a  very  respectable  corps  of  volunteers, 
should  the  injuries  offered  our  country  render  it 
necessary.  Always  a  friend  to  peace  and  believing 
it  to  promote  eminently  the  happiness  and  pros- 
perity of  mankind,  I  am  ever  unwilling  that  it 
should  be  disturbed  as  long  as  the  rights  and  interests 
of  the  nations  can  be  preserved.  But  whensoever 
hostile  aggressions  on  these  require  a  resort  to  war, 
we  must  meet  our  duty  and  convince  the  world 
that  we  are  just  friends  and  brave  enemies.  Whether 
our  difficulties  with  Spain  will  issue  in  peace  or 
war  is  still  uncertain,  and  what  provisional  measures 
shall  be  taken  for  the  latter  alternative,  is  now 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *57 


under  consideration  of  the  legislature.  The  offer 
of  service  which  your  patriotism  has  now  made 
to  your  country  is  a  pledge  that  it  will  not  be 
withheld  in  whatever  the  national  councils  may 
authorize. 

Accept  my  thanks  on  the  public  behalf  for  the 
readiness  with  which  you  have  made  this  honor- 
able tender,  with  respectful  salutations  and  assur- 
ances of  great  consideration  and  esteem. 


TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Washington,  December  22,  1806. 

My  dear  Sir, — Your  letter  of  the  12th  is  this 
moment  put  into  my  hands,  and  as  it  reminds 
me  of  my  default  in  not  answering  the  former, 
I  take  up  my  pen  to  answer  instanter. 

Our  prospects  are  great  if  we  can  preserve  external 
and  internal  peace.  With  England  I  firmly  expect 
a  friendly  arrangement.  With  Spain  we  shall 
possibly  have  blows;  but  they  will  hasten,  instead 
of  preventing,  a  peaceable  settlement.  The  most 
instant  pressure  is  now  from  among  ourselves, 
our  Catiline  is  at  the  head  of  an  armed  body  (we 
know  not  its  strength),  and  his  object  is  to  seize 
New  Orleans,  from  thence  attack  Mexico,  place 
himself  on  the  throne  of  Montezuma,  add  Louisi- 
ana to  his  empire,  and  the  Western  States  from 
the  Alleghany  if  he  can.  I  do  not  believe  he 
will  attain  the  crown;   but  neither  am  I  certain 


*58  Jefferson's  Works 


the  halter  will  get  its  due.  A  few  days  will  let  us 
see  whether  the  Western  States  suppress  them- 
selves this  insurrectionary  enterprise,  or  we  shall 
be  obliged  to  make  a  great  national  armament 
for  it.  In  the  end,  I  am  satisfied  it  will  exhibit  to  the 
world  another  proof  that  the  people  of  the  United 
States  are  qualified  for  self-government.  Our 
friends,  the  federalists,  chuckle  at  all  this;  but 
in  justice  I  must  add,  we  have  found  some  faithful 
among  those  in  the  West. 

Our  session  is  proceeding  with  harmony.  They 
have  great  questions  before  them;  such  in  my 
opinion  as  look  more  to  the  tranquil  happiness 
and  prosperity  of  a  nation  than  ever  before  pre- 
sented to  a  deliberative  body.  God  bless  you 
and  have  you  always  in  His  holy  keeping. 


TO  HENRY  LEE. 

Washington,  February  i,  1807. 
Sir, — Your  letter  of  January  17  came  to  hand 
last  night  If  I  ever  saw  or  heard  of  a  Mr.  Norris 
of  Baltimore,  I  do  not  remember  either  his  name 
or  person.  I  never  saw  or  heard  of  any  list  of 
names  of  the  adherents  of  Burr;  still  less  of  one 
containing  your  name.  I  never  have  seen  or  heard 
your  name  coupled  with  Burr's  but  in  a  newspaper 
paragraph,  mentioning  that  you  were  gone  from 
Staunton  to  join  him.  Which,  as  it  went  through 
several  papers,  you  have  probably  seen  yourself, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  1S9 


and  certainly  I  never  named  you  to  any  one  as 
having  any  connection  with  Burr,  much  less  gave 
any  one  liberty  to  announce  it  for  me.  Accept 
my  salutations. 

P.  S.    I  return  Mr.  Harrison's  letter. 


TO  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Washington,  March  21,  1807. 

Sir, — In  my  letter  of  December  3,  answering 
yours  which  offered  the  service  of  a  corps  of  vol- 
unteers, I  informed  you  that  the  legislature  had 
then  under  consideration  in  what  way  they  should 
authorize  the  Executive  to  accept  those  patriotic 
tenders.  They  accordingly  passed  the  act  of  which 
I  now  enclose  you  a  copy. 

Although  the  present  state  of  things  on  the 
western  side  of  the  Mississippi  does  not  threaten 
any  immediate  collision  with  our  neighbors  in 
that  quarter,  and  it  is  our  wish  they  should  remain 
undisturbed  until  an  amiable  adjustment  may  take 
place,  yet  as  this  does  not  depend  on  ourselves 
alone,  it  is  prudent  to  be  prepared  to  meet  any 
movements  which  may  occur.  The  laws  of  a 
former  session  of  Congress  for  keeping  a  body  of 
100,000  militia  in  readiness  for  service  at  a  moment's 
warning,  are  still  in  force.  But  by  the  act  now 
included  the  service  of  volunteers  may  be  accepted 
which  will,  of  course,  render  a  resort  to  the  former 
act  unnecessary. 


Jefferson's  Works 


In  consequence,  therefore,  of  the  patriotic  zeal 
which  prompted  your  former  offer,  I  now  solicit 
your  best  endeavors  toward  carrying  this  act  into 
execution.  The  persons  who  shall  engage  will  not 
be  called  from  their  homes  until  some  aggression* 
committed  or  intended  shall  render  it  necessary. 
When  called  into  action,  it  will  not  be  for  a  lounging 
but  for  an  active  and,  perhaps,  distant  service.  I 
know  the  effect  of  this  consideration  in  kindling  that 
ardor  which  prevails  for  the  service,  and  I  count 
on  it  for  filling  up  the  numbers  requisite  without 
delay.  To  yourself,  I  am  sure,  it  must  be  as 
desirable  as  it  is  to  me,  to  transfer  this  service 
from  the  great  mass  of  the  militia  under  your 
charge,  to  that  portion  of  them  to  whose  habits 
and  enterprise  active  and  distant  service  is  most 
congenial. 

With  respect  to  the  organization  and  officering 
those  who  shall  be  engaged  within  your  State, 
the  act  itself  will  be  your  guide.  And  it  is  desirable 
we  should  be  kept  informed  of  the  progress  of  the 
business.  I  must  pray  you  to  report  the  same, 
from  time  to  time,  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  who 
will  correspond  with  you  on  all  the  details  arising 
out  of  it. 

Accept  my  salutations  and  assurances  of  great 
esteem  and  respect. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts 


TO  JOEL  BARLOW. 

Washington,  June  14,  1807. 
Dear  Sir, — I  return  you  Dr.  Triplett's  letter 
to  Mr.  O'Brien  with  thanks  for  the  communication. 
Coxe  remains  at  Tunis  only  till  we  can  find  some 
one  of  prudence  and  good  sense  equal  to  the  station, 
of  honesty  sufficient  to  be  trusted  with  the  expen- 
diture of  moneys  without  account  and  willing  to 
be  located  there.  Do  you  know  such  a  man?  I 
do  not.  Davis  was  an  unfortunate  appointment. 
I  knew  it  before  he  went  away,  but  after  it  was 
too  much  fixed  to  alter.  If  he  carries  into  execution 
the  intention  he  expresses  of  visiting  London  and 
Paris,  it  will  furnish  us  a  ground  for  correcting 
our  error. 

Before  this  reaches  you,  you  will  probably  have 
heard  of  the  arrival  of  Wilkinson  at  Norfolk  on  the 
10th  with  ten  important  witnesses. 

When  are  we  to  see  you  here?  I  hope  when 
we  do  it  will  be  as  a  resident.  Will  not  Mrs.  Barlow 
and  yourself  meet  your  friends  here  on  the  birth- 
day of  our  Constitution?  Shall  we  not  have  from 
our  first  poet  a  national  ode  for  that  and  all  other 
festive  days,  to  be  to  us  what  the  Marseilles  Hymn 
was  to  the  French,  God  Save  Great  George  to  the 
English,  and  adapted  to  the  exalted  and  already 
adopted  tune  of  the  miserable  ditty,  "Hail  Columbia ' '  ? 

Should  Mrs.  Barlow  and  yourself  come  on,  I 
would  propose  to  you  for  August  and  September 

VOL.  XIX— II 


i62  Jefferson's  Works 


a  tour  through  the  upper  country  of  Virginia, 
which  you  will  find  a  very  healthy  and  a  very  fine 
one,  tacking  about  at  Monticello,  where  we  shall 
be  happy  to  detain  you  as  long  as  your  time  will 
permit.  It  is  only  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles 
from  this,  and  good  roads.  I  salute  you  with 
affection  and  respect. 


TO  GEORGE  HAY. 

Washington,  October  n,  1807. 
Dear  Sir, — As  I  understand  by  the  newspapers 
that  the  examination  of  the  witnesses  in  Burr's 
case  and  that  of  the  other  persons  accused  is  closed, 
I  must  solicit  as  early  a  communication  as  possible 
of  the  proceedings  and  evidence.  Congress  being 
so  near  meeting,  and  a  copy  being  to  be  made 
out,  so  that  each  House  may  have  one,  it  is  evident 
We  shall  have  no  time  to  spare.  If  your  copy  for 
us  is  not  wholly  ready,  perhaps  you  could  send  it 
by  piecemeal  as  it  is  ready,  which  would  enable 
us  to  be  forwarding  it  in  the  same  way.  I  salute 
^ou  with  great  esteem  and  respect. 


TO  F.  A.  DELACROIX. 

Washington,  December  21,  1807. 
Sir, — Your  letter  on  the  subject  of  military 
service  was  received  on  the   2d  instant.  Our 
foreign  relations  are  certainly  in  a  very  unsettled 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  163 


state,  but  whether  they  will  terminate  in  war 
cannot  yet  be  foreseen.  The  decision  of  that  ques- 
tion being  given  by  our  Constitution  to  the  legis- 
lature, it  would  be  premature  in  the  Executive 
to  accept  offers  of  military  service  before  the 
competent  authority  has  decided  on  their  employ- 
ment. The  readiness  of  your  offer,  however,  still 
merits  the  acknowledgments  which  I  now  make 
for  them,  and  when  the  proper  moment  shall  arrive, 
it  will  be  my  duty  to  avail  my  country  of  the  best 
talents  which  can  be  procured  for  its  service.  I 
return  you  the  paper  which  was  enclosed  in  your 
letter. 

Your  favor  of  September  29  was  not  received 
until  two  days  ago.  I  have  with  pleasure  sent 
to  Mr.  Mackay  my  subscription  to  the  book  you 
recommend.  No  period  in  human  history  merits 
more  to  have  all  its  truths  produced  than  that 
of  the  French  Revolution.  I  am  only  sorry  that 
the  new  lights  which  your  materials  are  to  throw 
upon  it  are  to  be  passed  through  the  medium  of 
translation  only.  The  best  translation  can  render 
a  sentiment  but  imperfectly,  often  falsely.  A  vast 
deal  of  human  misery  has  already  flowed  from 
this  revolution,  accompanied  by  some  good,  but 
what  will  be  its  permanent  effect  on  the  happiness 
of  mankind  those  who  come  after  us  will  decide. 
I  salute  you  with  great  respect. 


164  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  GEORGE  HAY. 

Washington,  February  16,  1808. 

Dear  Sir, — I  think  it  was  Mr.  Wythe's  practice 
to  assign  in  the  body  of  his  decrees  the  reasons 
on  which  they  were  founded.  If  this  was  done 
in  the  case  of  Henderson  and  Peyton,  you  will 
oblige  me  by  obtaining  a  copy  of  the  decree  (to 
be  charged  by  the  clerk  to  Mr.  Peyton)  and  enclosing 
it  to  me.  Some  property  is  offered  of  the  value 
of  which  I  can  better  judge  when  I  see  the  reasons 
of  the  decree,  and  can  estimate  the  probability 
of  affirmance  or  reversal. 

Burr,  who  gave  you  so  much  trouble,  has  become 
absolutely  invisible.  There  are  conjectures  of  his 
being  in  Philadelphia,  but  nobody  can  say  they 
have  seen  him. 

Ohio  seems  a  second  time  to  have  done  her 
duty  to  her  sister  States.  Mr.  Giles  has  brought 
forward  a  bill  to  amend  our  criminal  law,  but, 
however  necessary,  I  have  no  idea  that  a  bill  con- 
taining a  variety  of  modifications  of  the  law  can 
ever  get  through  a  House  where  there  are  a  hundred 
lawyers.  I  salute  you  with  great  esteem  and 
respect. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  l6S 


TO  G.  HYDE  DE  NEUVILLE. 

Washington,  February  17,  1808. 
Sir, — On  the  13th  instant  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  receiving  your  favor  of  December  22,  covering 
one  from  Madame  d'Houdetot,  of  whom  I  had  not 
received  information  for  several  years.  I  am  happy 
to  learn  that  she  is  living  and  enjoying  a  retire- 
ment in  comfort.  The  proofs  of  friendship  I 
received  from  her  in  France  were  such  as  to  make 
a  lasting  impression  on  my  mind  and  to  inspire 
me  with  sincere  concern  for  her  welfare.  Besides 
the  constant  wish  to  render  services  to  strangers 
of  merit,  the  interest  she  feels  in  your  situation 
is  an  additional  title  to  my  readiness  to  be  useful 
to  you.  In  answer  to  your  enquiries  whether  you 
can  acquire  and  hold  lands  in  the  United  States 
without  becoming  a  citizen,  I  have  to  observe 
that  as  far  as  I  have  learnt,  it  is  a  general  policy 
with  the  several  States  not  to  permit  this.  I  have 
made  the  most  extensive  enquiry  I  could  on  this 
occasion,  whether  any  one  of  these  States  has  varied 
from  this  policy,  but  I  cannot  find  any  one  has 
or  that  there  is  any  part  of  the  Union  where  a 
person  not  being  a  citizen  can  hold  lands,  except 
in  this  District  of  Columbia.  I  am  inclined  also 
to  believe  that  this  cannot  be  done  through  the 
medium  of  any  other  person  as  a  trustee,  because 
I  suppose  the  trust  would  be  escheat  to  the  public 
as  the  lands  themselves  would.    But  of  this  the 


l66  Jefferson's  Works 


lawyers  can  give  you  information  more  to  be  relied 
on  than  mine.  I  tender  you  my  salutations  and 
assurances  of  respect. 


TO  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Washington,  April  28,  1808. 

My  dear  Sir, — I  wrote  you  last  on  the  14th  of 
July,  since  which  I  have  received  your  several 
favors  of  July  8,  August  11,  September  10,  December 
5,  and  January  11.  This  last  has  been  a  sincere 
affliction  to  me.  My  knowledge  of  the  extraor- 
dinary worth  of  our  deceased  friend,  her  amiable 
and  excellent  character,  her  value  to  yourself, 
her  family  and  friends,  and  the  void  it  would  make 
at  the  house  of  La  Grange,  sufficiently  apprise 
me  of  the  immensity  of  this  loss.  But  on  this 
subject  I  will  say  no  more;  for  experience  in  the 
same  school  has  taught  me  that  time  and  silence 
are  the  only  medicines. 

I  will  now  proceed  to  your  affairs.  I  mentioned 
in  a  former  letter  that  Mr.  Gallatin  had  compro- 
mised the  claims  of  the  city  of  New  Orleans  by 
a  line  to  be  run  600  yards  from  the  outer  lines 
of  the  town.  So  that  what  was  beyond  that  became 
open  to  your  location  and  left  it  clear  of  dispute. 
I  have  not  yet  learned  what  location  of  the  residue 
has  been  made  by  Mr.  Duplantier.  Through  an 
indirect  channel  I  know  that  on  the  13th  of  Novem- 
ber last  he  located  10,000  acres,  and  that  on  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  l67 


15th  of  March  the  surveyor  had  finished  surveying 
9,000  acres  of  them.  Where  they  lie  particularly 
I  do  not  know,  but  as  Mr.  Duplantier  had  the  first 
choice  they  must  be  good  and  well  situated.  The 
moment  the  surveys  are  brought  here  I  will  sign 
the  grants,  which  in  the  meantime  are  as  secure 
as  if  already  signed.  I  am  sorry  to  learn  that 
your  necessities  are  so  pressing  as  to  induce  you 
to  propose  a  sale  of  them  at  this  time.  If  I  am 
not  deceived  in  my  anticipations  of  the  rise  in 
value  of  property  near  New  Orleans,  they  will 
double  in  value  three  times  within  ten  or  twelve 
years.  That  is  to  say,  that  twelve  years  hence 
they  will  be  worth  eight  times  what  they  now 
are.  How  desirable  then,  my  dear  friend,  must 
it  be  for  the  future  welfare  of  yourself  and  family 
that  the  necessity  of  selling  could  be  postponed 
for  that  term.  The  payment  of  interest  is  a  mere 
nothing  in  comparison  of  the  rise  in  value.  A 
dozen  years  hence  the  sale  of  one-eighth  will  pay 
as  much  as  that  of  the  whole  now.  And  should 
it  be  insisted  that  the  payment  of  interest  be 
annually  made,  this  may  be  done  by  an  annual 
sale  of  a  few  lots  adjacent  to  the  city  of  New  Orleans. 
I  am  not  without  hopes  that  in  Europe,  where  the 
safe  placing  of  funds  in  these  times  of  uncertainty 
must  be  an  object  with  many,  that  you  may  be  able 
to  effect  this  on  the  hypothecation  of  these  lands 
which,  from  the  moment  of  their  being  surveyed, 
become  a  safe  and  fixed  subject  of  hypothecation. 


1 68  Jefferson's  Works 


I  spoke  with  Colonel  Monroe  on  this  subject 
on  his  return  and  lately  wrote  to  him.  He  answers 
me  in  these  words:  "I  think  I  informed  you  or 
Mr.  Madison  that  the  Barings  had  agreed  to  wait 
the  term  mentioned  in  your  letter  (ten  years)  or 
some  such  term,  for  the  reimbursement  of  the 
money  with  interest,  which  they  had  advanced 
to  General  Lafayette  on  being  secured  in  it.  Such 
was  the  fact,  it  having  been  communicated  to  me 
by  Alexander  Baring  for  your  and  Mr.  Madison's 
information,  just  before  I  left  London.  It  seems, 
therefore,  most  desirable  to  proceed  on  that  idea 
and  to  give  information  of  it  to  Lafayette.  I 
will,  however,  be  happy  to  write  Mr.  Baring,  if  you 
deem  it  necessary,  after  receiving  this  information." 

Thus  you  see  the  practicability  of  procuring  a 
postponement  of  this  portion  of  your  wants,  and 
I  should  suppose  the  genius  and  knowledge  of 
our  friend  Mr.  Parker  would  readily  find  capitalists 
and  effect  negotiations  for  the  further  sum  necessary 
for  you  on  the  hypothecation  of  funds  so  solid  as 
these,  and  than  which  I  do  not  think  more  solid 
can  be  found  on  earth. 

I  am  the  more  encouraged  to  hope  you  may 
avoid  a  sale  by  information  I  have  this  moment 
received  from  Monsieur  Mon-Tarbe,  who  is  this 
far  on  his  return  from  Charleston,  and  who  tells 
me  he  is  authorized  by  Mr.  Hager  of  South  Carolina 
to  inform  you  that  he  has  secured  for  you  a  debt 
from  some  General  (whose  name  Monsieur  Mon- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  l69 


Tarbe  does  not  recollect,  but  I  presume  the  late 
General  Greene's  estate)  of  twenty  or  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars,  for  which  you  have  only  to  send 
"vos  titres"  (this  was  his  expression)  and  the 
money  would  be  paid  instantly.  With  this  wind- 
fall, with  Mr.  Baring's  indulgence,  and  the  talents 
and  friendship  of  Mr.  Parker,  or  some  other  of 
your  friends,  I  cannot  help  hoping  you  may  post- 
pone the  sale  of  your  lands  and  avoid  the  cruel 
sacrifice  that  would  now  occasion. 

My  zeal  for  your  interest  has  occasioned  me, 
perhaps,  to  press  this  subject  on  you  too  much, 
but  you  know  the  sincerity  of  the  motives  and 
will  excuse  it.  A  short  visit  to  this  place  and 
New  Orleans,  if  you  cannot  make  a  long  one, 
would  enable  you  to  judge  for  yourself  better 
than  all  your  friends  can  do  for  you. 

I  will  not  write  news  to  you  lest  it  should  endanger 
passage  of  my  letter.  I  will  barely  mention  that 
Mr.  Madison  will  most  unquestionably  be  elected 
my  successor,  by  a  majority  of  three  to  one,  and 
rather  probably  by  an  unanimous  vote.  The  news- 
papers may  deceive  abroad,  but  all  this  is  well 
understood  here.  Till  the  last  autumn,  I  have 
every  autumn  written  to  Madame  de  Tess6  and 
sent  her  a  box  of  seeds.  I  saw  with  infinite  morti- 
fication that  they  were  either  carried  into  England 
or  arrived  so  late  as  to  answer  no  purpose  to  her. 
The  state  of  the  ocean  the  last  fall  was,  and  con- 
tinues to  be,  so  desperate  that  it  is  vain  to  attempt 


I7°  Jefferson's  Works 


anything  again  till  that  be  changed.  By  that 
time  I  shall  be  maker  of  my  own  time  and  can 
never  employ  it  more  in  gratifying  my  own  feelings 
than  in  doing  what  will  be  acceptable  to  her.  Assure 
her  of  my  continued  friendship,  be  so  good  as  to 
add  my  respects  to  Monsieur  de  Tesse  and  to  accept 
yourself  the  assurance  of  my  affectionate  attach- 
ment and  respect. 


TO  THOMAS  PAINE. 

Washington,  July  17,  1808. 

Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  8th  received 
some  da7'S  ago.  Mr.  Holmes  did  apply  to  me  in 
the  ccuise  of  the  late  session  for  information 
regarding  some  application  of  yours,  the  par- 
ticulars of  which  I  do  not  now  recollect.  But 
I  well  remember  it  was  on  some  matter  which 
took  place  while  I  was  not  a  member  of  Congress 
and,  therefore,  knew  nothing  of  but  what  was 
on  the  records.  I  was  absent  from  Congress  from 
1777  to  1803,  being  during  that  interval  closely 
employed  by  my  own  State.  I  advised  him  to 
examine  the  files  of  the  Department  of  State  and 
have  no  doubt  he  obtained  all  the  information 
they  furnish. 

Your  ideas  expressed  in  the  latter  part  of  your 
letter  are  undoubtedly  correct.  They  were  taken 
up  the  moment  the  law  passed  giving  a  power 
of  suspending  the  embargo  in  whole  or  in  part 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        17 1 


on  the  repeal  of  the  decrees  or  orders  of  council. 
As  yet  we  have  reached  no  fruit  from  our  endeavors. 

Proposing  to  absent  myself  from  this  place 
during  the  sickly  season  now  approaching  and 
much  occupied  with  the  preparations,  I  must 
here  place  my  salutations  and  assurances  of  great 
esteem  and  respect. 


TO  ARCHIBALD  STUART. 

Washington,  October  22,  1808. 

Dear  Sir, — A  Mr.  William  Jenkings,  who  lives 
four  or  five  miles  from  the  Natural  Bridge,  and 
whom  I  suppose  to  be  a  merchant,  called  on  me 
two  days  ago  to  propose  to  purchase  my  lands 
at  the  bridge.  I  asked  him  some  questions  about 
the  adjacent  land  in  order  to  get  his  ideas  of  the 
value.  He  said  the  adjacent  tract  had  been  sold 
two  or  three  times  at  about  ten  dollars  and  some 
of  it  as  high  as  four  pounds  the  acre.  I  enquired 
if  the  land  on  mine  was  as  good.  I  think  he  said 
it  was,  but  that  it  was  all  thin  land,  would  not 
make  a  good  farm,  but  that  his  object  was  to  erect 
a  public  house  there,  as  the  curiosity  of  the  bridge 
drew  great  numbers  to  see  it.  I  told  him  the 
idea  of  selling  it  had  never  before  presented  itself 
to  my  mind,  and  he  concluded  to  call  on  me  at 
Monticello  in  March  next. 

You  will  do  me  the  favor  to  make  inquiry  what 
the  land  should  sell  for  according  to  prices  in  that 


172  Jefferson's  Works 


neighborhood,  and  without  taking  the  bridge  into 
consideration,  which  as  a  curiosity  gives  value 
to  the  stand.  To  me  the  money  would  be  of  more 
value  and  would  be  convenient  on  breaking  up 
here.  You  have  been  so  kind  as  to  attend  to 
the  payment  of  the  taxes  and  it  is  now  several 
years  since  I  have  made  any  reimbursement,  so 
that  it  must  now  amount  to  something  sensible. 
Be  so  good  as  to  let  me  know  its  amount  and  it 
shall  be  immediately  remitted.  Should  the  pay- 
ment have  escaped  attention  so  long  as  to  endanger 
the  land,  I  would  pray  it  to  be  immediately  secured. 
When  I  come  home  I  will  find  some  means  of  relieving 
you  from  this  trouble.  As  soon  as  you  can  give 
me  information  of  the  value  I  shall  be  happy  to 
hear  from  you.  I  salute  you  with  constant  friend- 
ship and  respect. 


TO  ROBERT  FULTON. 

Monticello,  April  16,  1810. 
Dear  Sir, — I  received  yesterday,  on  my  return 
from  a  journey,  your  letter  of  March  28th  and  have 
to  thank  you  for  the  drawing  of  your  self-moving 
belier  hydraulique,  which  a  first  reading  shows 
to  be  simple  and  ingenious,  and  I  have  no  doubt 
will  answer.  It  shall  have  my  early  attention. 
The  object  of  this  prompt  reply  to  your  letter, 
is  the  offer  you  so  kindly  made  of  lending  me  your 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *73 


dynamometer.  It  will  be  the  greatest  favor  you 
can  do  me. 

The  Agricultural  Society  of  the  Seine  sent  me 
one  of  Guillaume's  famous  ploughs,  famous  for 
taking  but  half  the  moving  power  of  their  best 
ploughs  before  used.  They,  at  the  same  time, 
requested  me  to  send  them  one  of  our  best,  with 
my  mould  board  to  it.  I  promised  I  would,  as 
soon  as  I  retired  home  and  could  see  to  its  con- 
struction myself.  In  the  meantime  I  wrote  to 
a  friend  at  Paris  to  send  me  a  dynamometer,  which 
he  did.  Unfortunately  this,  with  some  other 
valued  articles  of  mine,  were  lost  on  its  passage 
from  Washington  to  Monticello.  I  have  made 
the  plough  and  am  greatly  deceived  if  it  is  not 
found  to  give  less  resistance  than  theirs.  In  fact 
I  think  it  is  the  finest  plough  which  has  ever  been 
constructed  in  America.  But  it  is  the  actual 
experiment  alone  which  can  decide  this,  and  I 
was  with  great  reluctance  about  to  send  off  the 
plough  untried  when  I  received  your  kind  offer. 
I  will  pray  you  to  send  the  instrument  to  Mr. 
Jefferson  of  Richmond  by  some  careful  passenger 
in  the  stage,  who  will  see  that  it  does  not  miscarry 
by  the  way;  or  by  some  vessel  bound  from  New 
York  direct  to  Richmond,  which  is  the  safest 
though  slowest  conveyance.  I  suppose  there  can 
never  be  a  week  that  some  vessel  is  not  coming. 
I  sincerely  wish  the  torpedo  may  go  the  whole 
length  you  expect  of  putting  down  navies.    I  wish 


i74  Jefferson's  Works 


it  too  much  not  to  become  an  easy  convert  and 
to  give  it  all  my  prayers  and  interest.  Accept 
assurances  of  my  great  esteem  and  respect. 


to  dr.  william  eustis. 
(secretary  of  war) 

MONTECILLO,  MAy  30,  l8lO. 

Dear  Sir, — In  the  action  brought  agaist  me 
by  E.  Livingston  on  the  subject  of  the  batture, 
the  counsel  employed  desire  me,  without  delay,  to 
furnish  them  with  the  grounds  of  defense,  that 
they  may  know  what  pleas  to  put  in.  To  do  this 
a  communication  of  the  papers  in  the  several  public 
offices  material  to  the  case  is  very  essential  You 
will  be  so  kind  as  to  have  selected  such  of  those 
deposited  in  your  office  as  may  offer  either  useful 
information,  or  evidence  on  the  subject,  on  my 
assurance  that  they  shall  be  faithfully  and  promptly 
returned,  after  noting  from  them  what  I  may 
think  important.  Mr.  Smith,  the  head  clerk  of 
your  office,  is  so  well  acquainted  with  this  subject, 
that  I  think  he  can  readily  make  the  selection 
with  your  permission.  I  must  particularly  ask  a 
copy  of  General  Dearborne's  letter  or  order  removing 
the  aggressors  by  force.  This  was  between  the 
dates  of  1807,  Nov.  27,  and  Jan.  29,  1808.  I 
should  be  glad  that  a  list  of  the  papers  sent  me 
be  taken,  that  their  return  may  be  verified.  Accept 
the  assurances  of  my  esteem  and  respect 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  ^5 


TO  W.   B.  GILES. 

Monticello,  November  12,  18 10. 

Dear  Sir, — You  have  heard  of  the  suit  brought 
by  E.  Livingston  against  me  on  the  subject  of  the 
batture.  This  has  rendered  it  necessary  for  me 
to  make  a  statement  of  the  facts  for  the  use  of 
my  counsel,  and  the  justification  which  they  offer 
being  derived  from  certain  systems  of  foreign  law 
in  force  at  New  Orleans,  which  I  have  had  more 
time  to  enquire  into  then  they.  I  have  been  led 
to  go  into  a  full  investigation  of  both  the  law  and 
fact  of  the  case.  This  I  now  enclose  to  you  with 
the  following  view :  I  am  apprehensive  that  Living- 
ston's  assiduities  and  intrigue  may  induce  Congress 
to  some  vote  referring  his  claim  to  judges  or  com- 
missioners. The  countenance  of  such  a  vote  would 
impress  a  jury  sensitively  and  unfavorably  to  me. 
I  wish  the  matter  to  rest  as  it  does  till  the  trial, 
and  Congress  may  leave  it  so  with  the  more  pro- 
priety, inasmuch  as  Livingston  himself  has  trans- 
ferred it  from  before  them  to  another  tribunal. 

I  have  thought  I  might  rely  on  your  justice  as 
well  as  your  friendship  to  allude  to  this  case  in  the 
Senate  so  far  as  to  prevent  his  obtaining  there 
any  vote  injurious  to  a  fair  trial;  and  to  satisfy 
your  conscience  that  this  will  do  him  no  injustice, 
I  ask  your  perusal  of  the  enclosed.  I  am  sensible 
it  is  of  a  revolting  length,  but  the  variety  and 
novelty  of  the  points  it  brings  forward  will  not 


176  Jefferson's  Works 


be  uninteresting  to  you  as  a  lawyer.  When  you 
shall  have  read  it,  be  so  good  as  to  send  it  by  post 
to  Mr.  Eppes  for  which  purpose  I  enclose  a  franked 
cover.  I  have  requested  of  him  to  bestow  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  the  same  attention  I  ask 
of  you  in  the  Senate,  and  from  both  I  request 
that  no  communication  of  the  topics  of  my  defense 
may  be  made  to  anybody,  unless  indeed,  any 
attempts  in  Congress  might  render  it  necessary  to 
use  them.  You  are  sensible  what  advantage  a 
knowledge  of  them  would  give  my  adversary. 
Were  this  case  before  an  impartial  court  it  would 
never  give  me  a  moment's  concern,  but  Livingston 
would  never  have  brought  it  in  such  a  court  The 
deep-seated  enmity  of  one  judge  and  utter  nullity 
of  the  other,  with  the  precedent  of  Burr's  case, 
lessen  the  confidence  which  the  justice  of  my  case 
would  otherwise  give  me.  Should  the  Federalists, 
from  Livingston's  example,  undertake  to  harass 
and  run  me  down  with  prosecutions  before  Federal 
judges,  I  see  neither  rest  nor  safety  before  me. 
Wishing  you  the  pleasure  of  a  smooth  session,  I 
salute  you  with  all  affection. 


TO  JAMES  MADISON. 

Monticello,  December  8,  1810. 
Dear  Sir, — I  found    among    my  papers  the 
enclosed  survey  of  Lafayette's  lands  adjacent  to 
New  Orleans.    Whether  it  be  the  legal  survey  or 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *77 


not  I  do  not  know.  If  it  is  it  gives  a  prospect 
of  something  considerable  after  the  six  hundred 
yards  laid  off  round  the  ramparts.  I  enclose  it 
to  you  as  it  may  possibly  be  of  use.  With  me 
it  can  be  of  none. 

I  enclose  you  also  a  piece  in  manuscript  from 
Dupont  on  the  subject  of  our  system  of  finance 
when  the  progress  of  manufactures  shall  have 
dried  up  the  present  source  of  our  revenue.  He 
is,  as  you  know,  a  rigorous  economist,  and  although 
the  system  be  not  new  yet  he  always  gives  some- 
thing new,  and  places  his  subject  in  strong  lights. 
The  application  of  the  system  to  our  situation  also 
is  new.  On  the  whole  it  is  well  worth  your  reading, 
however  oppressed  with  reading.  When  done  with 
it  I  will  thank  you  to  hand  it  to  Mr.  Gallatin,  with 
a  request  to  return  it  to  me  when  he  shall  have 
read  it. 

I  have  had  a  visit  from  Mr.  Warden.  A  failure 
in  the  stage  detained  him  here  ten  days.  I  suppose 
you  had  hardly  as  good  an  opportunity  of  becoming 
acquainted  with  him.  He  is  a  perfectly  good- 
humored,  inoffensive  man,  a  man  of  science,  and, 
I  observe,  a  great  favorite  of  those  in  Paris,  and 
much  more  a  man  of  business  than  Armstrong 
had  represented  him.  His  memoirs  and  proceed- 
ings in  the  cases  of  vessels  seized  show  this.  I 
observed  he  had  a  great  longing  for  his  late  office 
in  Paris.  I  explained  to  him  distinctly  the  impos- 
sibility of  his  succeeding  in  a  competition  before 

VOL.  XIX  12 


J78  Jefferson's  Works 


the  Senate  with  such  a  man  as  Russell,  a  native, 
and  of  high  standing.  That  failing  I  endeavored 
to  find  out  what  other  views  and  prospects  he 
might  have.  I  find  that  he  is  poor,  and  looks 
ultimately  to  the  practice  of  physic  for  an  inde- 
pendent livelihood;  that  he  wishes  to  find  some 
means  of  living  while  he  should  be  pursuing  that 
study.  He  spoke  of  a  secretaryship  in  one  of  the 
territories  as  desirable  in  that  view  and  I  believe 
he  would  suit  that  office.  However  any  appoint- 
ment [would  do]  which  would  give  him  present 
subsistence.  The  consulships  which  rely  on  mer- 
cantile business  he  does  not  much  relish,  having 
no  turn  to  shillings  and  pence.  Having  left  Paris 
very  hastily  he  would  be  glad  to  go  back  as 
the  bearer  of  public  despatches  to  settle  his  affairs 
there,  if  there  should  be  occasion  for  a  messen- 
ger. I  collected  these  things  from  him  indirectly, 
believing  you  would  wish  to  know  his  views.  He 
is  an  interesting  man,  perfectly  modest  and  good, 
and  of  a  delicate  mind,  his  principal  seems  to 
have  thrown  him  first  on  the  hands  of  the  Execu- 
tive and  then  off  of  his  own. 

We  have  not  yet  received  your  message  from 
which  we  expect  to  learn  our  situation  as  well 
with  our  neighbors  as  beyond  the  Atlantic.  Wish- 
ing you  an  easy  and  prosperous  campaign  for  the 
winter,  I  renew  the  assurances  of  my  constant 
affection  and  respect. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *79 


TO  JAMES  MONROE. 

Monticello,  January  8,  1811. 

Dear  Sir, — I  received  your  friendly  letter  of 
December  24th  on  my  return  from  Bedford,  at 
which  place  I  was  at  its  date.  It  conveyed  me 
the  first  notice  of  the  attempt  to  draw  me  into 
the  newspapers  on  the  subject  of  the  propositions 
which  had  been  passed  between  the  agents  of  the 
Rivanna  company  and  myself  for  their  accommoda- 
tion in  passing  the  navigation  through  my  lands. 
I  immediately  inquired  into  it,  and  found  it  was 
John  Nicholas,  who,  having  been  permitted  by  the 
agents  (called  directors)  to  read  the  papers,  had 
written  long  animadversions  which  he  wished  to 
get  with  the  correspondence  into  the  newspapers. 

Although  there  is  nothing  in  the  correspondence 
which  I  would  wish  to  conceal  yet  I  am  now  at 
that  time  of  life  when  quiet  is  the  summum  bonum, 
and  I  do  not  see  that  the  public  could  be  either 
amused  or  benefited  by  having  me  dragged  into 
the  papers  and  harrowed  by  malignant  discus- 
sions on  every  private  bargain  which,  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  things,  we  are  all  obliged  to  be  engaged 
in.  I  am  very  thankful,  therefore,  to  Mr.  Ritchie 
for  having  rescued  me  from  being  disturbed  by 
this  miserable  scribbler. 

I  enclose  you  the  correspondence  with  a  request 
that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  peruse  it.  The 
sum  of  what  has  passed  is  this:   Your  gentlemen 


l8°  Jefferson's  Works 

directors,  observing  that  my  mill  dam  canal 
present  a  dead  sheet  of  water  from  the  entrance 
of  the  river  into  the  mountain,  at  the  Secretary's 
ford,  to  its  exit  at  my  mill,  desire  the  use  of  my 
dam  to  keep  the  back  water  at  its  present  navigable 
state.  Use  it.  I  shall  maintain  it  for  my  own 
purposes.  But  we  wish  to  raise  it  two  feet.  Then 
you  must  maintain  the  dam  yourselves,  because, 
being  raised  to  five  feet,  it  will  be  carried  away 
ten  times  for  once  if  it  remains  at  three  feet.  Then 
we  will  not  raise  it;  but  we  wish  the  use  of  your 
canal.  You  are  welcome  to  it.  But  we  wish  to 
widen  it  for  batteaux.  You  are  free  to  widen  it, 
but  as  admitting  a  greater  volume  of  water  will 
certainly  destroy  the  bank  in  some  places  you 
must  maintain  the  bank.  Agreed,  but  we  shall 
want  a  site  for  our  lock  at  the  lower  end.  I  give 
it  to  you.  T  mber,  earth,  stone  to  build  it.  I 
give  it  to  you,  all  common  timber.  Fine  timber 
trees  must  be  paid  for.  Agreed,  we  want  a  site 
and  timber  for  our  toll  house.  I  give  them  to 
you.  But  while  we  are  widening  the  canal  we 
must  stop  your  mills  perhaps  for  a  month.  You 
may  do  it  and  I  will  charge  you  nothing  for  the 
rent  of  my  manufacturing  mills  for  a  month,  nor 
the  suspension  of  my  [illegible]  mill,  the  two 
objects  amounting  to  about  two  hundred  dollars; 
if,  after  this,  your  works,  or  the  using  your  locks, 
would  stop  my  mills  you  must  pay  for  the  time. 
We  agree  to  it.    And  I  thought  the  matter  settled; 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  181 

but  I  have  heard  that  they  are  not  satisfied  nor 
decided.  Observe  that  this  is  not  a  general  but 
merely  a  local  object.  It  is  only  to  carry  the 
navigation  from  Milton  to  Moon's  ford,  in  other 
words  to  Charlottesville,  a  question  between  the 
two  towns.  The  people  up  the  river  are  left  to 
open  their  own  navigation.  Nor  do  I  believe  the 
navigation  will  be  used  when  done,  because  a 
wagon  once  at  Charlottesville  will  go  on  to  the 
Shadwell  mills  for  less  than  even  the  toll  of  a 
barrel  of  flour,  which  is  9  d.  besides  the  price  of  the 
watermen. 

I  state  all  these  things  to  you  and  have  asked 
you  to  peruse  the  correspondence,  because  it  is 
well  you  should  possess  the  whole  subject,  as  perhaps 
it  may  go  to  the  legislature.  Indeed  the  directors 
acknowledge  that  the  former  act  had  done  wrong 
in  authorizing  the  toll  to  be  taken  at  Milton  instead 
of  the  falls  next  above  the  Shadwell  mills,  from 
whence  there  is  at  present  a  perfectly  safe  naviga- 
tion. For  Mr.  Randolph  and  myself,  at  our  own 
expense  (of  about  three  hundred  dollars)  have 
opened  a  sluice  through  the  Milton  falls  which  we 
shall  still  further  perfect.  I  am  told  there  is  a  law, 
passed  some  years  back,  declaring  there  shall  be  no 
future  grants  of  the  beds  of  rivers  or  creeks  and 
annulling  all  the  past.  The  former  is  within  the 
power  of  the  legislature,  the  latter  is  not.  They 
can  neither  pass  a  law  that  my  head  shall  be  stricken 
from  my  body  without  trial,  nor  my  freehold  taken 


182  Jefferson's  Works 

from  me  without  indemnification,  and  when  not 
necessary  for  a  public  use.  In  this  case  the  public 
can  use  the  bed  of  the  river  without  taking  the 
property  of  it  from  me.  By  the  common  law, 
which  was  the  law  here  till  this  act,  the  king 
cannot  grant  away  tidewaters,  they  are  reserved 
for  the  use  of  the  nation.  But  all  other  waters 
were  ever  grant  able,  here  as  well  as  in  England. 
And  how  is  a  line  to  be  drawn  between  rivers  and 
creeks,  and  other  brooks  and  branches?  I  think 
the  judges  would  determine  the  annulling  former 
grants  as  merely  void.  It  is  material  in  my  case 
only  as  showing,  when  the  Shadwell  mill  was  built 
fifty  years  ago,  no  trespass  was  committed  on  the 
bed  of  the  river  which  was  private  property,  and 
that  no  wrong  having  been  committed,  it  does 
not  subject  the  proprietor  to  any  ex  post  facto 
burden,  as  the  building  of  a  lock,  etc.  In  the  case 
of  Magruder,  who  did  not  own  the  bed  of  the  river 
and  who  got  leave  to  build  a  dam  after  the  public 
had  been  forty  years  in  the  exercise  of  their  right 
of  navigation  along  the  river,  Captain  Meriwether 
and  the  other  commissioners  for  improving  the 
navigation,  gave  him  five  hundred  dollars  to  build 
and  maintain  a  lock.  This  was  more,  perhaps, 
than  he  had  a  right  to,  and  is  mentioned  only  to 
show  the  difference  of  measure  meted  to  him  and 
to  me,  if  it  should  be  proposed  to  force  me  to  build 
and  maintain  a  lock. 

All  this,  however,  is  submitted  to  your  con- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  l83 


sideration.  If  the  matter  is  carried  to  the  legisla- 
ture, do  what  you  think  is  right  and  it  will  be 
perfectly  satisfactory  to  me.  Ever  yours  affec- 
tionately. 


TO  REVEREND  JAMES  MADISON. 

Monticello.  December  29,  181 1. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  Nov.  19th  arrived 
here  just  as  I  had  set  out  for  Bedford,  from  whence 
I  returned  a  few  days  ago  and  found  your  letter 
here.  I  thank  you  for  Mr.  Lambert's  calculations 
on  my  observation  of  the  late  eclipse  of  the  sun. 
I  have  been  for  some  time  rubbing  up  my  mathe- 
matics from  the  rust  contracted  by  fifty  years' 
pursuits  of  a  different  kind.  And  thanks  to  the 
good  foundation  laid  at  college  by  my  old  master 
and  friend  Small,  I  am  doing  it  with  a  delight 
and  success  beyond  my  expectation.  I  had  observed 
the  eclipse  of  September  17  th  with  a  view  to  cal- 
culate from  it  myself,  the  longitude  of  Monticello; 
but  other  occupations  had  prevented  it  before  my 
journey.  The  elaborate  paper  of  Mr.  Lambert 
shows  me  it  would  have  been  a  more  difficult  under- 
taking than  I  had  foreseen,  and  that  probably  I 
should  have  foundered  in  it.  I  have  no  telescope 
equal  to  the  observation  of  the  eclipses  of  Jupiter's 
satellites,  but  as  soon  as  I  can  fit  up  a  room  to  fix 
my  instruments  in,  I  propose  to  amuse  myself 
with  further  essays  of  multiplied  repetitions  and 


1 84  Jefferson's  Works 


less  laborious  calculations.  I  have  a  fine  theodolite 
and  equatorial  both  by  Ramsden,  a  Hadley's  circle 
of  Borda,  a  fine  meridian  and  horizon  as  you  know. 
Once  ascertaining  the  dip  of  my  horizon,  I  can 
use  the  circle  as  at  sea,  without  an  artificial  horizon. 

Do  you  think  of  ever  giving  us  a  second  edition 
of  your  map?  If  you  do,  I  may  be  able  to  furnish 
you  with  some  latitudes.  I  have  a  pocket  sextant 
of  miraculous  accuracy,  considering  its  microscopic 
graduation.  With  this  I  have  ascertained  the 
latitude  of  Poplar  Forest,  (say  New  London)  by 
multiplied  observations,  and  lately  that  of  Willis 
mountains  by  observations  of  my  own,  repeated 
by  my  grandson,  whom  I  am  carrying  on  in  his 
different  studies.  Any  latitudes  within  the  circuit 
of  these  three  places  I  could  take  for  you  myself,  to 
which  my  grandson,  whose  motions  will  be  on  a 
larger  scale,  would  be  able  to  add  others.  My 
unremitting  occupations  while  you  were  engaged 
in  the  first  publication,  put  it  out  of  my  power 
to  furnish  you  with  some  local  draughts  which 
might  have  aided  you.  To  wit :  Some  very  accurate 
surveys  of  James  rives  from  Cartersville  about 
ten  miles  upwards,  some  of  the  river  in  this  neigh- 
borhood, some  county  lines,  the  country  between 
New  Loudon  and  Lynchburg,  etc. 

Accept  my  friendly  salutations  and  assurances 
of  great  and  continued  esteem  and  respect. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  lS5 


TO  ANDREW  ELLICOTT. 

Monticello,  June  24,  181 2. 

Dear  Sir, — I  have  duly  received  your  favor 
of  the  3d  and  thank  you  in  advance  for  that  of 
a  copy  of  your  observations,  when  they  will  be 
published.  There  always  existed  a  doubt  whether 
the  source  of  the  Savannah  was  not  north  of  the 
35th  degree,  which  your  labors  have  now  removed. 
A  great  deal  is  yet  wanting  to  ascertain  the  true 
geography  of  our  country;  more  indeed  as  to  its 
longitudes  than  latitudes.  Towards  this  we  have 
done  too  little  for  ourselves  and  depended  too 
long  on  the  ancient  and  inaccurate  observations 
of  other  nations.  You  are  wiping  off  this  reproach, 
and  will,  I  hope,  be  long  continued  in  that  work. 
All  this  will  be  for  a  future  race  when  the  super- 
lunary geography  will  have  become  the  object  of 
my  contemplations.  Yet  I  do  not  wish  it  the  less. 
On  the  same  principle  on  which  I  am  still  planting 
trees,  to  yield  their  shade  and  ornament  half  a 
century  hence. 

With  my  best  wishes  for  the  success  of  your 
labors,  accept  the  assurances  of  my  great  esteem 
and  respect. 


*86  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  WILLIAM  BARTON. 

Monticello,  October  2,  181 2. 
Thomas  Jefferson  presents  his  compliments  to 
Mr.  Barton  and  returns  him  the  paper  he  was  so 
kind  as  to  inclose  him,  and  to  which  he  has  sub- 
scribed with  great  pleasure.  In  this  he  has  equally 
gratified  his  affectionate  reverence  for  the  character 
of  Dr.  Rittenhouse  and  his  friendship  and  best 
wishes  toward  his  much-esteemed  connections; 
and  he  is  satisfied  that  the  life  of  such  a  man  must 
offer  a  model  and  useful  lesson  to  mankind  in 
general.  He  salutes  Mr.  Barton  with  friendship 
and  respect. 


TO  ALRICHS  AND  DIXON. 

Monticello,  January  14,  1813. 
Your  favor  of  Dec.  2  arrived  here  when  I  was 
on  a  journey  which  occasioned  me  an  absence  of 
between  five  and  six  weeks.  I  found  it  on  my 
return  here,  and  learning  at  the  same  time  that 
the  carding  machine  was  on  its  way  up  the  river 
I  waited  till  I  could  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
both  together.  The  machine  arrived  safely,  and 
has  now  been  at  work  some  days.  The  person 
who  directs  my  factory  I  found  to  be  not  so  well 
acquainted  with  it  as  I  supposed.  He  could  not 
make  it  produce  a  perfect  roll  until  he  made 
some  alteration  (probably  not  for  the  better)  which 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  l87 

adapted  it  to  his  own  ideas.  It  produced  at  first 
a  roll  partly  flat;  it  now  produces  it  perfect.  The 
force  required  to  turn  it  is  almost  nothing,  but 
the  velocity  with  which  it  must  be  turned  is  fatigu- 
ing. I  am  putting  a  six-inch  whirl  in  place  of 
the  handle  of  the  great  cylinder,  to  be  driven  by 
a  two-foot  wheel  and  band  so  that  the  hand  will 
make  one  revolution  where  it  now  makes  four. 
This  I  expect  will  be  a  less  fatiguing  composition 
of  force  and  velocity  than  the  present.  The  addition 
will  be  attached  by  two  screws  only,  so  that  if 
it  does  not  answer,  it  will  be  taken  off  and  leave 
the  machine  exactly  as  it  now  is.  I  will  immedi- 
ately desire  Messrs.  Gibson  and  Jefferson  of  Rich- 
mond to  remit  you  the  $97,  amount  of  your  bill. 

Your  favor  of  Jan.  1st  is  just  now  received,  there 
being  near  me  a  wool-carding  machine  going  by 
water  renders  the  question  as  to  hand-carding 
machines  for  that  article  less  important.  Accept 
my  thanks  for  your  attention  to  this  little  com- 
mission of  mine  and  the  assurances  of  my  esteem 
and  respect. 


TO  ROBERT  FULTON. 

Monticello,  March  8,  1813. 
Dear  Sir,— It  has  been  some  time  since  I  have 
tried  the  experiments  for  which  you  were  so  kind 
as  to  lend  me  your  dynamometer  and  the  recon- 
veyance by  sea  and  under  the  care  of  some  passenger. 


i88  Jefferson's  Works 


This  to  New  York  never  happens  from  our  quarter, 
to  Philadelphia  once  or  twice  a  year  only,  if  I 
knew  with  whom  to  lodge  it  there  for  you.  To 
Washington  I  could  more  frequently  send  it.  I 
must,  therefore,  ask  your  instructions  on  this 
subject. 

A  Mr.  Abraham  Howard  Quincy,  number  108 
Chatham  street,  New  York,  informs  me  he  has 
made  an  improvement  in  fireplaces,  such  as  that 
with  one-tenth  of  the  fuel  ordinarily  laid  on  a 
fire  and  that  kept  up  but  one  hour  in  five,  maintains 
summer  temperature  in  the  room,  and  he  has 
requested  me  to  ask  some  friend  in  whom  I  have 
confidence  to  call  on  him  and  receive  his  demon- 
strations of  it.  I  have  no  acquaintance  there 
whose  turn  is  mechanical,  of  whom  I  could  ask 
this;  but  it  occurs  to  me  that  you  may  possibly 
be  there  occasionally,  and  that  your  affection  to 
improvements  in  the  arts  might  induce  you  to 
take  the  trouble  to  examine  this  one,  my  con- 
fidence in  your  judgment  as  to  the  reality  of  the 
improvement  would  settle  my  opinion.  I  would 
therefore  ask  you  to  give  a  leisure  moment  to  this 
examination. 

I  rejoice  at  your  success  in  your  steamboats 
and  have  no  doubt  they  will  be  the  source  of  great 
wealth  to  yourself  and  permanent  blessing  to 
your  country.  I  hope  your  torpedoes  will  equally 
triumph  over  doubting  friends  and  presumptuous 
enemies.    I  sincerely  condole  with  you  on  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  l89 


death  of  our  much-to-be-lamented  friend  Barlow. 
The  slender  thread  by  which  Mrs.  Barlow's  life 
hung  will  probably  be  broken  by  this  calamity, 
and  I  consider  the  loss  as  irreparable  to  our  country , 
when  I  look  for  the  man  capable  of  writing  its 
history.  In  this  view  I  lamented  his  going  to 
Europe  at  all.  Accept  the  assurance  of  my  affec- 
tionate esteem  and  respect. 


TO  ELBRIDGE  GERRY. 

Monticello,  June  19,  1813. 
Dear  Sir, — Yours  of  the  nth  instant  is  just 
received,  and  I  repeat  the  sincere  pleasure  it  has 
given  me  to  see  you  once  more  come  forward  on 
the  stage  of  the  nation.1  I  have  never  thought 
the  post  you  now  occupy  the  most  agreeable  one 
the  nation  can  give,  and  very  far  preferable  to 
that  which  its  highest  favor  confers.  And  I  have 
hoped  that  within  three  days'  journey  of  one  another, 
it  would  afford  some  occasion  of  interview.  Not 
indeed  at  Washington,  for  I  am  too  old  and  too 
much  engaged  to  propose  such  a  journey  of  mere 
indulgence  to  my  moral  feelings  at  the  expense 
of  my  physical  ones,  but  the  chance  I  look  to  was 
that  of  some  short  and  occasional  adjournment 
of  Congress,  during  the  interval  of  which,  at  a  loss 
how  otherwise  to  fill  it,  you  might  think  a  tour 
through  some  part  of  this  State  not  merely  super- 

1  Gerry  had  been  elected  Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 


*9°  Jefferson's  Works 


vacaneous.  Were  this  to  happen,  I  had  hoped 
that  an  acquaintance  of  half  a  century,  and  a 
fellow  laborer  in  good  works  might  be  an  object 
in  the  tour.  In  no  part  of  it  could  you  be  received 
with  more  pleasure  or  retained  with  greater  cor- 
diality. Let  me  then  believe  this  possible,  and 
in  the  meantime  assure  you  of  the  unceasing 
sentiments  of  friendship  and  respect  of  yours  most 
affectionately  and  respectfully. 


TO  JAMES  MADISON. 

MONTICELLO,  July  1 3,  1813. 

Dear  Sir, — I  was  so  unlucky  as  to  write  you 
a  long  letter  of  business  when,  as  I  learned  soon 
afterwards,  you  were  too  ill  to  be  troubled  with 
any  matter  of  business.  My  comfort  has  been  in 
the  confidence  that  care  would  of  course  be  taken 
not  to  disturb  you  with  letters.  My  hope  in  writing 
the  present  is  of  a  pleasanter  kind,  the  flattering 
one  that  you  are  entirely  recovered.  If  the  prayers 
of  millions  have  been  of  avail,  they  have  been  poured 
forth  with  the  deepest  anxiety.  The  enclosed 
letter  from  Mr.  Fulton  will  inform  you  why  a 
similar  one  did  not  go  to  you  direct,  and  that  this  is 
forwarded  by  express  desire.  Mr.  Fulton's  ingenuity 
is  inexhaustable  and  his  disinterested  devotion  of 
it  to  his  country  very  laudable.  If  his  present 
device  depended  on  me,  I  should  try  it  on  the 
judgment  of  an  officer  so  well  skilled  as  Decatur. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  I9I 


It  is  one  of  those  experiments  which  neither  the 
personal  interest  nor  the  faculties  of  a  private 
individual  can  ever  bring  into  use,  while  it  is  highly 
interesting  to  the  nation.  Intersected  as  we  are 
by  many  and  deep  waters,  and  unable  to  meet 
the  enemy  on  them  with  an  equal  force,  our  only 
hope  is  in  the  discovery  of  the  means  which  inge- 
nuity may  devise  whereby  the  weak  may  defend 
themselves  against  the  strong.  This  is  done  at 
land  by  fortifications,  and  not  being  against  any 
law  of  nature,  we  may  hope  that  something  equiva- 
lent may  be  discovered  for  the  water. 

You  know  the  present  situation  of  our  friend 
Strode,  entirely  penniless.  How  he  comes  to  be 
left  to  subsist  himself  by  his  labors  in  subordinate 
employments,  while  his  son  is  at  his  ease,  I  am  not 
informed.  Nor  whether  they  have  had  any  differ- 
ences. Yet  the  fact  is  that  he  is  in  indigence,  and 
anxious  to  get  his  living  by  any  services  he  can 
render.  You  know  his  qualifications.  The  public 
iron  works,  the  armory,  the  army  or  some  of  the 
sedentary  offices  at  Washington  may  perhaps  offer 
some  employment  analogous  to  his  talents.  His 
wish  is  to  earn  a  livelihood  and  although  in  his 
letter  to  me  he  does  not  propose  to  solicit  anything, 
yet  the  expressions  of  his  situation  show  that 
decent  employment  could  not  fail  to  be  very 
acceptable. 

We  are  at  the  close  of  the  poorest  harvest  I 
have  ever  seen.    I  shall  not  carry  into  my  barn 


i92  Jefferson's  Works 


more  than  one-third  of  an  ordinary  crop.  But 
one  rain  to  wet  the  ground  since  April.  A  remark- 
able drying  wind  with  great  heat  the  first  days 
of  the  harvest,  dried  up  the  skin  of  the  wheat  so 
that  it  fell  before  the  scythe  instead  of  being  cut. 
I  have  seen  harvests  lost  by  wet,  but  never  before 
saw  one  lost  by  dry  weather.  I  have  suffered 
more  by  the  drought  than  my  neighbors.  Most 
of  them  will  make  a  half  a  crop,  some  two-thirds. 
Much  of  the  evil  had  been  prepared  by  the  winter 
and  the  fly.  It  is  not  too  late  yet  for  the  corn 
to  recover  should  there  come  rains  shortly.  It 
never  was  seen  so  low  before  at  this  date.  Our 
gardens  are  totally  burnt  up  and  the  river  so  low 
that  you  can  almost  jump  over  it  in  some  places. 

Wishing  you  a  speedy  and  perfect  restoration 
of  your  health,  I  pray  you  to  accept  the  assurance 
of  my  constant  and  affectionate  esteem  and  respect. 


TO  ROBERT  FULTON. 

MONTICELLO,  July  21,  1813, 

Dear  Sir, — Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  your 
favor  of  July  8th  I  forwarded  it  to  the  President, 
and  had  no  hesitation  in  expressing  my  own  wish 
that  it  should  be  tried.  In  fact  as  we  cannot 
meet  the  British  with  an  equality  of  physical  force, 
we  must  supply  it  by  other  devices,  in  which  I 
know  nobody  equal  to  yourself  and  so  likely  to 
point  out  to  us  a  mode  of  salvation. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  ^93 


Accordingly  I  hope  this  honor  is  reserved  for 
you,  and  that  either  by  subaqueous  guns,  torpedoes, 
or  diving  boats  you  will  accomplish  it  by  the  aid 
of  government.  The  New  York  Evening  Post  has 
given  us  a  quiz  on  this  subject,  hoping,  I  presume, 
to  draw  a  flimsy  veil  of  jest  over  his  habitual  lies, 
and  wishing  us  to  suppose  all  those  were  but  jests. 
I  confess  I  have  more  hopes  of  the  mode  of  des- 
truction by  the  submarine  boat  than  any  other. 
No  law  of  nature  opposes  it,  and  in  that  case  nothing 
is  to  be  despaired  of  by  human  invention,  nor 
particularly  by  yours. 

Accept  the  just  tribute  of  an  American  citizen, 
and  of  a  friend  in  the  assurances  of  my  great  esteem 
and  respect. 


TO  ABIGAIL  ADAMS 
(MRS.  JOHN  ADAMS). 

MONTICELLO,  AugUSt  22,  1813. 

Dear  Madam, — A  kind  note  at  the  foot  of  Mr. 
Adams'  letter  of  July  15  reminds  me  of  the  duty 
of  saluting  you  with  friendship  and  respect,  a 
duty  long  suspended  by  the  unremitting  labors 
of  public  engagement  and  which  ought  to  have 
been  sooner  revived,  since  I  am  the  proprietor  of 
my  own  time.  And  yet  so  it  is,  that  in  no  course 
of  life  have  I  been  ever  more  closely  pressed  by 
business  than  in  the  present.  Much  of  this  proceeds 
from  my  own  affairs,  much  from  the  calls  of  others; 

VOL.  XIX  13 


i94  Jefferson's  Works 


leaving  little  time  for  indulgence  in  my  greatest 
of  all  amusements,  reading.  Dr.  Franklin  used 
to  say  that  when  he  was  young  and  had  time  to 
read  he  had  not  books;  and  now  when  he  has 
become  old  and  had  books,  he  had  no  time.  Per- 
haps it  is  that  when  habit  has  strengthened  our 
sense  of  duties,  they  leave  us  no  time  for  other 
things;  but  when  young  we  neglect  them  and 
this  gives  us  time  for  anything. 

However,  I  will  now  take  time  to  ask  you  how 
you  do,  how  you  have  done?  and  to  express  the 
interest  I  take  in  whatever  affects  your  happiness. 
I  have  been  concerned  to  learn  that  at  one  time 
you  suffered  much  and  long  from  rheumatism, 
and  I  can  sympathize  with  you  the  more  feelingly 
as  I  have  had  more  of  it  myself  latterly  than  at 
any  former  period;  and  can  form  a  truer  idea 
of  what  it  is  in  its  higher  degrees.  Excepting  for 
this  I  have  enjoyed  general  health;  for  I  do  not 
consider  as  a  want  of  health  the  gradual  decline 
and  increasing  debility  which  is  the  natural  diathesis 
of  age;  this  last  comes  on  me  fast.  I  am  not  able  to 
walk  much,  though  I  still  ride  without  fatigue  and  take 
long  and  frequent  journeys  to  a  distant  possession. 

I  have  compared  notes  with  Mr.  Adams  on  the 
score  of  progeny  and  find  I  am  ahead  of  him  and 
think  I  am  in  a  fair  way  to  keep  so.  I  have  ten 
and  one-half  grandchildren,  and  two  and  three- 
fourths  great-grandchildren,  and  these  fractions 
will  ere  long  become  units. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  I95 


I  was  glad  to  learn  from  Mr.  Adams  that  you 
have  a  grandson  far  enough  advanced  in  age  and 
acquirements  to  be  reading  Greek.  These  young 
scions  give  us  comfortable  cares,  when  we  cease 
to  care  about  ourselves.  Under  all  circumstances 
of  health  or  sickness,  of  blessing  or  affliction,  I 
tender  you  assurances  of  my  sincere  affection  and 
respect;  and  my  prayers  that  the  hand  of  time 
and  of  providence  may  press  lightly  on  you  till 
your  own  wishes  shall  withdraw  you  from  all  mortal 
feeling. 


TO  DUPONT  DE  NEMOURS. 

Monticello,  November  29,  1813. 
My  Very  dear  and  Estimable  Friend, — In 
answering  the  several  very  kind  letters  I  have 
received  from  you,  I  owe  to  yourself  and  to  the. 
most  able  and  estimable  author  of  the  Commentaries 
on  Montesquieu  to  begin  by  assuring  you  that  I 
am  not  the  author  of  that  work,  and  of  my  own 
consciousness  that  it  is  far  beyond  my  qualifications. 
In  truth  I  consider  it  as  a  most  profound  and  logical 
work  which  has  been  presented  to  the  present 
generation.  On  the  subject  of  government  par- 
ticularly there  is  a  purity  which  renders  it  precious 
to  our  country  particularly,  where  I  trust  it  will  be- 
come the  elementary  work  for  the  youth  of  our 
academies  and  colleges.  The  paradoxes  of  Mon- 
tesquieu have  been  too  long  uncorrected.     I  will 


196  Jefferson's  Works 


not  fail  to  send  you  a  copy  of  the  work  if  possible 
to  get  it  through  the  perils  of  the  sea. 

I  am  next  to  return  you  thanks  for  the  copy  of  the 
works  of  Turgot  now  completed  by  the  receipt  of 
the  last  volume.  In  him  we  know  not  which 
most  to  admire,  the  comprehensiveness  of  his 
mind  or  the  benevolence  and  purity  of  his  heart. 
In  his  Distribution  of  Riches  and  other  general 
works,  and  in  the  great  principles  developed  in 
his  smaller  work  we  admire  the  gigantic  stature 
of  his  mindj  but  when  we  see  that  mind  thwarted, 
harassed,  maligned  and  forced  to  exert  all  its 
powers  in  the  details  of  provincial  administration 
we  regret  to  see  a  Hercules  laying  his  shoulder 
to  the  wheel  of  an  ox-cart.  The  sound  principles 
which  he,  establishes  in  his  particular  as  well  as 
general  works,  are  a  valuable  legacy  to  ill-governed 
man,  and  will  spread  from  their  provincial  limits 
to  the  great  circle  of  mankind. 

I  am  indebted  to  you  also  for  your  letter  by 
Mr.  Correa,  and  the  benefit  it  procured  me  of  his 
acquaintance.  He  was  so  kind  as  to  pay  me  a 
visit  at  Monticello,  which  enabled  me  to  see  for 
myself  that  he  was  still  beyond  all  the  eulogies 
with  which  yourself  and  other  friends  had  pre- 
conized  him.  Learned  beyond  any  one  I  had 
before  met  with,  good,  modest  and  of  the  simplest 
manners,  the  idea  of  losing  him  again  filled  me 
with  regret,  and  how  much  did  I  lament  that  we 
could  not  place  him  at  the  head  of  that  great  insti- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  197 


tution  which  I  have  so  long  nourished  the  hope 
of  seeing  established  in  my  country,  and  towards 
which  you  had  so  kindly  contributed  your  luminous 
views.  But,  my  friend,  that  institution  is  still  in 
embryo  as  you  left  it,  and  from  the  complexion 
of  our  popular  legislature  and  the  narrow  and 
niggardly  views  of  ignorance  courting  the  suffrage 
of  ignorance  to  obtain  a  seat  in  it,  I  see  little  prospect 
of  such  an  establishment  until  the  national  govern- 
ment shall  be  authorized  to  take  it  up  and  form 
it  on  the  comprehensive  basis  of  all  the  useful 
sciences. 

The  inauspicious  commencement  of  our  war  has 
damped  at  first  the  hopes  of  fulfilling  your  injunc- 
tions to  add  the  Floridas  and  Canada  to  our  con- 
federacy. The  former  indeed  might  have  been 
added  but  for  our  steady  adherence  to  the  sound 
principles  of  national  integrity  which  forbade  us 
to  take  what  was  a  neighbor's  merely  because  it 
suited  us  and  especially  from  a  neighbor  under 
circumstances  of  peculiar  affliction.  But  seeing 
now  that  his  afflictions  do  not  prevent  him  from 
making  those  provinces  a  focus  of  hostile  and 
savage  combinations  of  the  massacre  of  our  women 
and  children  by  the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife 
of  the  Indian,  these  scruples  must  yield  to  the 
necessities  of  self-defence.  And  I  trust  that  the 
ensuing  session  of  Congress  will  authorize  the 
incorporation  of  it  with  ourselves.  Their  inhab- 
itants universally  wish  it,  and  they  are  m  truth 


*98  Jefferson's  Works 


the  only  legitimate  proprietors  of  the  soil  and 
government. 

Canada  might  have  been  ours  in  the  preceding 
year  but  for  the  treachery  of  our  general,  who 
unfortunately  commanded  on  its  border.  There 
could  have  been  no  serious  resistance  to  the  progress 
of  the  force  he  commanded  in  its  march  through 
Upper  Canada,  but  he  sold  and  delivered  his  army, 
fortified  and  furnished  as  it  was,  to  an  enemy  one- 
fourth  his  numbers.  This  was  followed  by  a  series 
of  losses  flowing  from  the  same  source  of  unqualified 
commanders;  carelessness,  cowardice,  foolhardiness 
and  sheer  imbecility  lost  us  four  other  successive 
bodies  of  men,  who,  under  faithful  and  capable 
leaders,  would  have  saved  us  from  the  affliction 
and  the  English  from  the  crime  of  the  thousands 
of  men,  women  and  children  mur4ered  and  scalped 
by  the  savages  under  her  procurement  and  direction 
of  British  officers,  some  on  capitulation,  some  in 
the  field  and  some  in  their  houses  and  beds.  The 
determined  bravery  of  our  men,  whether  regulars 
or  militia,  evidenced  in  every  circumstance  when 
the  treachery  or  imbecility  of  their  commanders 
permitted,  still  kept  up  our  confidence  and  sounder 
and  abler  men  now  placed  at  their  head  have  given 
us  possession  of  the  whole  of  Upper  Canada  and 
the  lakes.  At  the  moment  I  am  writing  I  am  in 
hourly  expectation  of  learning  that  General  Wilkin- 
son, who,  about  the  ioth  instant,  was  descending 
upon  Montreal  has  taken  possession  of  it,  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  x99 


force  of  the  enemy  there  being  not  such  as  to  give 
us  much  apprehension.  Between  that  place  and 
Quebec  there  is  nothing  to  stop  us  but  the  advance 
of  the  season. 

The  achievements  of  our  little  navy  have  claimed 
and  obtained  the  admiration  of  all,  in  spite  of  the 
endeavors  of  the  English  by  lying  misrepresenta- 
tions of  the  force  of  their  vessels  on  both  sides  to 
conceal  the  truth,  the  loss  indeed  of  one -half  a 
dozen  frigates  and  sloops  of  war  is  no  sensible 
diminution  of  numbers  to  them,  but  the  loss  of 
the  general  opinion  that  they  were  invincible  at 
sea,  the  lesson  taught  to  the  world  that  they  can 
be  beaten  by  an  equal  force,  has  by  its  moral  effect 
lost  them  half  their  physical  force.  I  consider 
ourselves  as  now  possessed  of  everything  from 
Florida  point  to  the  walls  of  Quebec.  This  last 
place  is  not  worth  the  blood  it  would  cost.  It 
may  be  considered  as  impregnable  to  an  enemy 
not  possessing  the  water.  I  hope,  therefore,  we 
shall  not  attempt  it,  but  leave  it  to  be  voluntarily 
evacuated  by  its  inhabitants,  cut  off  from  all  sources 
of  subsistence  by  the  loss  of  the  upper  country. 
I  will  ask  you  no  questions,  my  friend,  about  your 
return  to  the  United  States  at  your  time  of  life; 
it  is  scarcely  perhaps  advisable.  An  exchange 
of  the  society,  the  urbanity  and  the  real  comforts 
to  which  you  have  been  formed  by  the  habits  of 
a  long  life  would  be  a  great  and  real  sacrifice. 
Whether,  therefore,  I  shall  ever  see  you  again  or  not, 


2oo  Jefferson's  Works 


let  me  live  in  your  esteem  as  you  ever  will  in  mine, 
most  affectionately  and  devotedly. 

P.  S.  Monticello,  Dec.  14.  We  have  been  dis- 
appointed in  the  result  of  the  expedition  against 
Montreal.  The  second  in  command,  who  had  been 
detached  ashore  with  a  large  portion  of  the  army, 
failing  to  join  the  main  body  according  to  orders 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Lake  St.  Francis,  the  enter- 
prise was  of  necessity  abandoned  at  that  point, 
and  the  inclemency  of  the  winter  being  already 
set  in,  the  army  was  forced  to  go  into  winter  quarters 
near  that  place.  Since  the  date  of  my  letter  I 
have  received  yours  of  September  18  and  a  printed 
copy  of  your  plan  of  national  education  of  which 
I  possessed  the  MS.  If  I  can  get  this  translated 
and  printed,  it  will  contribute  to  advance  the 
public  mind  to  undertake  the  institution;  the  per- 
suading those  of  the  benefit  of  science  who  possess 
none  is  a  slow  operation. 


TO  THADDEUS  KOSCIUSKO. 

Monticello,  November  30,  i8i;~. 
My  dear  Friend  and  General, — I  have  to 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  Dec.  1,  '12, 
and  its  duplicate  of  May  30,  '13,  and  am  pleased 
that  our  arrangement  with  Mr.  Morton  proves 
satisfactory.  I  believed  it  would  be  so,  and  that 
a  substantial  and  friendly  house  there  might  some- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts 


times  be  a  convenience,  when,  from  the  dangers 
of  the  sea,  difficulty  of  finding  good  bills,  or  other 
casualities,  Mr.  Barnes'  remittances  might  incur 
unavoidable  delay.  He  is  at  this  time  making 
arrangements  with  Mr.  Williams,  the  correspondent 
of  Mr.  Morton,  for  the  usual  remittance,  having 
for  some  time  past  been  unable  to  get  a  good  bill. 

You  have  heard  without  doubt  of  the  inauspicious 
commencement  of  our  war  by  land.  Our  old 
officers  of  high  command  were  all  withdrawn  by 
death  or  age.  Scott  closed  the  list  of  the  dead  a 
few  weeks  ago,  and  happy  for  us  would  it  have 
been  could  we  have  followed  your  advice  in  appoint- 
ing new  generals;  and  could  we  have  been  directed 
in  our  choice  to  those  only  who  were  good.  But 
this  is  a  lottery  in  which  are  few  prizes  and  our 
first  draught  fell  among  the  blanks.  The  first 
called  into  action  delivered  his  army  and  fort  up 
to  a  quarter  of  his  own  numbers  of  the  English. 
He  might  have  taken  possession  of  all  Upper  Canada 
almost  without  resistance.  This  was  followed  by 
cases  of  surprise,  of  cowardice,  of  foolhardiness 
and  of  sheer  imbecility,  by  which  bodies  of  men 
were  successively  lost  as  fast  as  they  could  be 
raised;  and  thus  the  first  year  of  the  war  was 
lost.  General  Wilkinson,  who  you  knew  in  the 
late  war,  has  at  length  been  called  from  the  Southern 
Department;  General  Hampton  also;  and  they 
are  doing  what  their  predecessors  ought  to  have 
done  last  year.    We  have  taken  all  the  posts  and 


2Q2  Jefferson's  Works 


country  on  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario;  and  General 
Wilkinson,  on  the  ioth  instant,  was  about  entering 
the  Lake  St.  Francis  in  his  descent  to  Montreal, 
and  would,  in  three  or  four  days,  reach  Montreal, 
where  the  British  force  is  such  as  not  to  give  uneasi- 
ness for  the  result.  I  trust  he  is  now  in  possession 
of  it,  and  there  being  neither  a  post  nor  a  man 
between  that  and  Quebec,  we  may  consider  our- 
selves as  commanding  the  whole  country  to  the 
walls  of  that  city.  The  season,  however,  will 
probably  oblige  us  to  make  Montreal  our  winter 
quarters. 

Kingston,  at  the  east  end  of  Lake  Ontario,  has 
been  left  unmolested,  because  being  of  some  strength 
and  well  garrisoned,  it  would  have  required  a  siege 
and  the  advance  of  the  season  would  have  dis- 
appointed us  as  to  all  below;  insulated  as  it  is  from 
succors  and  subsistence  it  must  capitulate  at 
our  leisure.  This,  my  friend,  is  the  present  state 
of  things  by  land;  and  as  I  know  not  yet  how 
or  when  this  letter  is  to  go,  I  may  by  a  P.  S.,  be 
able  to  add  what  shall  have  actually  taken  place 
at  Montreal.  It  is  a  duty,  however,  to  add  that  in 
every  instance  our  men,  militia  as  well  as  regulars, 
have  acted  with  an  intrepidity  which  would  have 
honored  veteran  legions,  and  have  proved  that, 
had  their  officers  understood  their  duty  as  well 
as  those  of  our  little  navy,  they  would  have  shown 
themselves  equally  superior  to  our  enemy  who 
had  dared  to  despise  us. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  203 

On  the  ocean  we  have  taught  a  lesson  of  value 
to  all  mankind,  that  they  can  be  beaten  there 
with  equal  force.  We  have  corrected  the  idea 
of  their  invincibility,  which  by  its  moral  effect 
annihilates  half  their  physical  force.  I  do  not 
believe  the  naval  history  of  the  world  has  furnished 
a  more  splendid  achievement  of  skill  and  bravery 
than  that  of  Perry  on  Lake  Erie.  They  threaten 
now  to  hang  our  prisoners  reclaimed  by  them, 
although  naturalized  with  us,  and  if  we  retaliate, 
to  burn  our  cities.  We  shall  certainly  retaliate, 
and  if  they  burn  New  York,  Norfolk,  Charleston, 
we  must  burn  London,  Portsmouth,  Plymouth, 
not  with  our  ships  but  by  our  money;  not  with 
our  own  hands,  but  by  those  of  their  own  incen- 
diaries. They  have  in  their  streets  thousands  of 
famished  wretches,  who,  for  a  loaf  of  bread  to  keep 
off  death  one  day  longer  and  more  eagerly  for  a 
million  of  dollars,  will  spread  to  them  the  flames 
which  they  shall  kindle  in  New  York.  It  is  not 
for  those  who  live  in  glass  houses  to  set  the  example 
of  throwing  stones,  what  is  atrocious  as  an  example 
becomes  a  duty  to  repress  by  retaliation. 

If  we  have  taken,  as  I  expect,  the  residue  of  their 
troops  above  Quebec,  we  have  as  many  of  their 
troops  taken  by  honorable  fighting  as  they  have 
of  ours  purchased  or  surprised.  I  have  less  fear 
now  for  our  war  than  for  the  peace  which  is  to 
conclude  it.  Your  idea  that  our  line  of  future 
demarcation  should  be  from  some  point  in  Lake 


204  Jefferson's  Works 


Champlain  is  a  good  one,  because  that  would  shut 
up  all  their  scalp  markets,  but  that  of  their  entire 
removal  from  the  continent  is  a  better  one.  While 
they  hold  a  single  spot  in  it  it  will  be  a  station 
from  which  they  will  send  forth  their  Henrys  upon 
us  to  debauch  traitors,  nourish  conspiracies,  smuggle 
in  their  manufactures  and  defeat  our  commercial 
laws.  Unfortunately  our  peace  commissioners  left 
us  while  our  affairs  were  still  under  the  depression 
of  Hull's  treason  and  its  consequences,  and  they 
would  as  soon  learn  their  revival  in  the  moon  as 
in  St.  Petersburg.  The  English  newspapers  will 
still  fill  their  ears,  as  those  of  all  Europe,  with  lies 
and  induce  them  to  offer  terms  of  peace  under 
these  erroneous  impressions;  and  a  peace  which 
does  not  leave  us  the  Canadas  will  be  but  a  truce. 
As  for  the  Floridas  they  are  giving  themselves 
to  us.  I  hope,  therefore,  no  peace  will  be  made 
which  does  not  yield  us  this  indemnification  for 
the  thousand  of  ships  they  took  during  peace,  the 
thousands  of  our  citizens  impressed,  their  machin- 
ations for  dissevering  our  Union,  the  insults  they 
have  heaped  upon  us,  the  inhuman  war  they  have 
waged  with  the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  of 
the  savage,  the  suffocation  of  our  prisoners  in 
pestiferous  jails  and  prison  ships,  and  the  other 
atrocities  against  national  and  individual  morality 
which  have  degraded  them  from  the  rank  of  civilized 
nations. 

The  longer  the  peace  is  delayed,  the  more  firm 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  2°5 


will  became  the  establishment  of  our  manufactures. 
The  growth  and  extent  of  these  can  be  conceived 
by  none  who  does  not  see  them.  Of  coarse  and 
middling  fabrics  we  never  again  shall  import. 
The  manufacture  of  the  fine  cottons  is  carried  also 
to  great  extent  and  perfection.  A  million  of  cotton 
spindles  nearly  being,  I  think,  now  employed  in 
the  United  States.  This  single  advancement  in 
economy,  begun  by  our  embargo  law,  continued 
by  that  of  non-importation,  and  confirmed  by  the 
present  total  cessation  of  commercial  intercourse, 
was  worth  alone  all  the  war  will  cost  us. 

I  have  thus,  my  dear  friend,  given  you  the  present 
state  of  things  with  us,  which  I  had  done  with 
the  more  minuteness  because  I  know  that  no  native 
among  us  takes  a  livelier  interest  in  them  than 
you  do.  The  tree  which  you  had  so  zealously 
assisted  in  planting  you  cannot  but  delight  in 
seeing  watered  and  flourishing.  Happy  for  us 
would  it  have  been  if  a  valor,  fidelity  and  skill 
like  yours  had  directed  those  early  efforts  which 
were  so  unfortunately  confided  to  unworthy  hands. 
We  should  have  been  a  twelve  month  ago  where 
we  now  are,  and  now  where  we  shall  be  a  twelve 
month  hence.  However  from  one  man  we  can 
have  but  one  life,  and  you  gave  us  the  most  valu- 
able and  active  part  of  yours,  and  we  are  now 
enjoying  and  improving  its  effects.  Every  sound 
American,  every  sincere  votary  of  freedom,  loves 
and  honors  you,  and  it  was  its  enemies  only  and 


Jefferson's  Works 


the  votaries  of  England  who  saw  with  cold  indif- 
ference and  even  secret  displeasure  your  short-lived 
return  to  us.  They  love  none  who  do  not  love 
kings,  and  kings  of  England  above  all  others.  God 
bless  you  under  every  circumstance,  whether  still 
reserved  for  the  good  of  your  native  country  or 
destined  to  leave  us  in  the  fulness  of  time  with 
the  consciousness  of  successful  efforts  for  the 
establishment  of  freedom  in  one  country  and  of 
all  which  man  could  have  done  for  its  success  in 
another.  The  lively  sense  I  entertain  of  all  you 
have  done  and  deserved  from  both  countries,  can 
be  extinguished  only  with  the  lamp  of  life,  during 
which  I  shall  ever  be,  affectionately  and  devotedly, 
yours. 

P.  S.  Monticello,  Dec.  14.  We  have  been  dis- 
appointed in  the  result  of  the  expedition  against 
Montreal,  and  again  by  the  fault  of  a  general  who 
refused  with  his  large  detachment  ashore  to  meet 
the  main  body,  according  to  orders,  at  the  entrance 
of  Lake  St.  Francis.  The  expedition  was  of  necessity 
suspended  at  that  point  and  the  army  obliged  by 
the  severity  of  the  season  to  go  into  winter  quarters. 


TO  JAMES  MONROE 

Monticello,  January  27,  1814. 
Dear  Sir, — I  now  return  you  the  letter  of  Mr. 
Carter,  which  was  enclosed  in  yours  of  November 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  2°7 


30,  which  was  six  weeks  on  its  passage  to  me.  The 
reference  to  myself  which  you  are  both  so  kind 
as  to  propose,  I  must  beg  to  decline.  I  could  not 
trust  myself  with  such  a  decision.  For,  although 
I  should  certainly  endeavor  to  see  nothing  but 
the  facts  of  the  case,  yet  even  as  to  these  my  having 
been  the  sole  agent  through  the  whole  of  this  busi- 
ness for  one  of  the  parties  only,  and  the  particular 
interest  which  it  was  thus  my  duty  to  feel  and 
espouse,  may  but  too  possibly  have  left  impres- 
sions unperceived  by  myself  which  might  prevent 
my  seeing  the  subject  in  the  original  and  unbiased 
view  with  which  an  umpire  ought  to  enter  into 
it.  I  have,  therefore,  requested  Mr.  Carter  to 
attend  at  any  time  convenient  to  you  and  himself, 
between  this  and  the  first  of  April,  until  which 
time  I  shall  be  constantly  at  home.  A  letter  from 
him,  however,  of  December  2d  informed  me  that 
you  have  agreed  between  you  that  if  your  claim 
proves  correct  he  is  to  pay  you  what  he  got  for 
the  land  without  interest.  This  amounts  to  an 
agreement  that  the  line  will  stand  as  marked  for 
Mr.  Short,  and  that  whatever  it  shall  take  from 
you  shall  be  paid  by  him  to  you.  This  is  certainly 
perfectly  just  and  it  leaves  Mr.  Short  and  Mr. 
Higgenbotham  without  further  interest  in  the  ques- 
tion, and  the  meeting  and  proceedings  before 
proposed  are  in  that  case  become  unnecessary. 
The  question  in  this  case  remains  between  your- 
self and  Mr.  Carter  only  to  be  settled  at  your  leisure. 


208  Jefferson's  Works 


If  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  signify  this  in  a  line  to 
me,  I  shall  be  able  to  satisfy  Mr.  Short,  and  to 
remove  Mr.  HiggenbothanVs  scruples  about  the 
payment  of  his  bonds,  the  first  of  which  is  now  at 
hand. 

I  enclose  you  a  letter  from  Mr.  John  Clarke 
suggesting  a  mode  of  keeping  the  army  filled  up. 
Whether  it  be  the  best  or  not  I  am  not  to  decide. 
But  as  it  appears  to  be  one  of  the  good  ones,  I  enclose 
it  to  you  to  be  suggested  where  it  may  serve. 

What  effect  will  the  disaster  of  Bonaparte  have 
on  the  negotiations  of  Gottenburg?  Not  a  good 
one  I  am  afraid.  The  salvo  of  maritime  rights 
by  the  other  party  leaves  room  to  claim  what- 
ever the  successes  of  her  allies  may  embolden,  or 
her  own  greediness  stimulate  her  to  grasp  at. 
These  successes  will  enable  her  to  make  the  ensuing 
a  warm  campaign,  a  warm  one  for  us.  Orleans, 
Pensacola  and  the  Chesapeake,  one  or  the  other, 
or  all,  are  indicated  by  the  number  and  construc- 
tion of  the  boats  they  are  preparing.  Their  late 
proceedings,  too,  in  the  north  seem  to  breathe  the 
spirit  of  a  helium  ad  inter necionem.  It  would  be 
well  if  on  some  proper  occasion  the  government 
should  either  justify  or  disavow  Maclure's  proceedings 
at  Newark.  As  it  is  possible  our  negotiations  may 
not  obtain  what  we  would  wish  on  the  subject 
of  maritime  rights,  would  it  not  be  well  that  they 
would  stipulate  for  the  benefit  of  those  which 
should  be  established  by  the  other  belligerents  at 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  2°9 


the  settlement  of  a  general  peace.  Remember  me 
affectionately  to  the  President.  It  is  long  since  I 
have  had  occasion  of  writing  to  him,  and  I  consider 
it  a  duty  to  suppress  all  idle  calls  on  his  attention. 
Ever  affectionately  yours. 


TO  J.  CORREA  DE  SERRA. 

Monticello,  April  19,  1814. 

Dear  Sir, — Mr.  Randolph  first,  and  latterly  Mr. 
Short,  have  flattered  me  with  the  hope  that  you 
would  pay  us  a  visit  with  the  returning  season.  I 
should  sooner  have  pressed  this  but  that  my  vernal 
visit  to  Bedford  was  approaching,  and  I  wished 
to  fix  its  precise  epoch  before  I  should  write  to 
you.  I  will  set  out  now  within  a  few  days  and 
be  absent  probably  all  the  month  of  May,  and  shall 
be  very  happy  to  see  you  here  on  my  return,  or 
as  soon  after  as  may  be.  It  will  give  me  the  greatest 
pleasure,  and  our  whole  family  joins  in  the  invitation, 
if,  consulting  your  own  convenience  and  comfort, 
you  would  make  us  as  long  a  stay  there  as  should 
permit.  You  know  our  course  of  life.  To  place 
our  friends  at  their  ease  we  show  them  that  we 
are  so  ourselves,  by  pursuing  the  necessary  vocations 
of  the  day  and  enjoying  their  company  at  the 
usual  hours  of  society. 

You  will  find  the  summer  of  Monticello  much 
cooler  than  that  of  Philadelphia,  equally  so  with 
that  of  the  neighborhood  of  that  place,  and  more 

VOL.   XIX  14 


2I°  Jefferson's  Works 

healthy.  The  amusements  it  offers  are  such  as 
you  know  which,  to  you,  would  be  principally 
books  and  botany.  Mr.  Randolph's  resignation  of 
his  military  commission  will  enable  him  to  be  an 
associate  in  your  botanical  rambles.  Come  then, 
my  dear  Sir,  and  be  one  of  our  family  as  long  as 
you  can  bear  a  separation  from  the  science  of  the 
world. 

Since  Bonaparte's  discomfiture  I  wish  much  to 
see  you,  to  converse  with  you  on  the  probable 
effect  that  will  have  on  the  state  of  the  world, 
of  its  science,  its  liberty,  its  peace  and  prosperity, 
and  particularly  on  the  situation  of  our  literary 
friends  in  Europe.  Perceiving  the  order  of  nature 
to  be  that  individual  happiness  shall  be  inseparable 
from  the  practice  of  virtue,  I  am  willing  to  hope 
it  may  have  ordained  that  the  fall  of  the  wicked 
shall  be  the  rise  of  the  good. 

I  can  readily  fulfill  M.  Cuvier's  request  for  the 
skin  and  skeleton  of  the  mink.  I  have  procured 
a  fine  skin  and  can  at  any  time  get  the  entire 
subject.  The  difficulty  will  be  to  find  a  vessel 
which  would  receive  so  large  a  subject  and  preserve 
the  spirits  in  which  it  would  be  immersed.  But 
this  shall  be  an  article  of  consultation  when  you 
are  with  us.  The  cranium  of  the  buffalo  cannot 
be  procured  but  from  the  other  side  of  the  Mississippi ; 
there  I  can  obtain  it.  But  it  must  go  thence  by 
the  way  of  New  Orleans,  which  cannot  well  be  till 
peace. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  211 

I  have  done  for  Mr.  Warden  what  you  and  him- 
self wished  as  to  his  commission.  Its  effect  with 
the  government  I  have  not  learned.  I  also  suggested 
to  the  government  your  observation  on  the  differ- 
ence of  structure  in  vessels  which  the  difference 
of  specific  gravity  between  salt  and  fresh  water 
might  render  useful. 

Accept  my  thanks  for  Fossonbroni's  book,  which, 
though  topographical,  presents  circumstances  of 
curiosity.  I  salute  you  with  sincere  affection  and 
respect. 


TO  PETER  CARR. 

Monticello,  September  7,  1814. 

Dear  Sir, — On  the  subject  of  the  academy  or 
college  proposed  to  be  established  in  our  neighbor- 
hood, I  promised  the  trustees  that  I  would  prepare 
for  them  a  plan,  adapted,  in  the  first  instance, 
to  our  slender  funds,  but  susceptible  of  being 
enlarged,  either  by  their  own  growth  or  by  accession 
from  other  quarters. 

I  have  long  entertained  the  hope  that  this,  our 
native  State,  would  take  up  the  subject  of  education, 
and  make  an  establishment,  either  with  or  without 
incorporation  into  that  of  William  and  Mary,  where 
every  branch  of  science,  deemed  useful  at  this 
day,  should  be  taught  in  its  highest  degree.  With 
this  view,  I  have  lost  no  occasion  of  making  myself 
acquainted  with  the  organization  of  the  best  semi- 


2i2  Jefferson's  Works 


naries  in  other  countries,  and  with  the  opinions  of 
the  most  enlightened  individuals,  on  the  subject 
of  the  sciences  worthy  of  a  place  in  such  an  insti- 
tution. In  order  to  prepare  what  I  have  promised 
our  trustees,  I  have  lately  revised  these  several 
plans  with  attention;  and  I  am  struck  with  the 
diversity  of  arrangement  observable  in  them — no 
two  alike.  Yet,  I  have  no  doubt  that  these  several 
arrangements  have  been  the  subject  of  mature 
reflection,  by  wise  and  learned  men,  who,  con- 
templating local  circumstances,  have  adapted  them 
to  the  conditions  of  the  section  of  society  for  which 
they  have  been  framed.  I  am  strengthened  in 
this  conclusion  by  an  examination  of  each  separately, 
and  a  conviction  that  no  one  of  them,  if  adopted 
without  change,  would  be  suited  to  the  circum- 
stances and  pursuit  of  our  country.  The  example 
they  set,  then,  is  authority  for  us  to  select  from 
their  different  institutions  the  materials  which  are 
good  for  us,  and,  with  them,  to  erect  a  structure, 
whose  arrangement  shall  correspond  with  our  own 
social  condition,  and  shall  admit  of  enlargement 
in  proportion  to  the  encouragement  it  may  merit 
and  receive.  As  I  may  not  be  able  to  attend  the 
meetings  of  the  trustees,  I  will  make  you  tfae 
depository  of  my  ideas  on  the  subject,  which  may 
be  corrected,  as  you  proceed,  by  the  better  view 
of  others,  and  adapted,  from  time  to  time,  to  the 
prospects  which  open  upon  us,  and  which  cannot 
be  specifically  seen  and  provided  for. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        21 3 


In  the  first  place,  we  must  ascertain  with  pre- 
cision the  object  of  our  institution,  by  taking  a 
survey  of  the  general  field  of  science,  and  marking 
out  the  portion  we  mean  to  occupy  at  first,  and 
the  ultimate  extension  of  our  views  beyond  that, 
should  we  be  enabled  to  render  it,  in  the  end,  as 
comprehensive  as  we  would  wish. 

i.    Elementary  schools. 

It  is  highly  interesting  to  our  country,  and  it 
is  the  duty  of  its  functionaries,  to  provide  that 
every  citizen  in  it  should  receive  an  education 
proportioned  to  the  condition  and  pursuits  of  his 
life.  The  mass  of  our  citizens  may  be  divided 
into  two  classes — the  laboring  and  the  learned. 
The  laboring  will  need  the  first  grade  of  education 
to  qualify  them  for  their  pursuits  and  duties;  the 
learned  will  need  it  as  a  foundation  for  further 
acquirements.  A  plan  was  formerly  proposed  to 
the  legislature  of  this  State  for  laying  off  every 
county  into  hundreds  or  wards  of  five  or  six  miles 
square,  within  each  of  which  should  be  a  school 
for  the  education  of  the  children  of  the  ward, 
wherein  they  should  receive  three  years'  instruc- 
tion gratis,  in  reading,  writing,  arithmetic  as  far 
as  fractions,  the  roots  and  ratios,  and  geography. 
The  Legislature  at  one  time  tried  an  ineffectual 
expedient  for  introducing  this  plan,  which  having 
failed,  it  is  hoped  they  will  some  day  resume  it 
in  a  more  promising  form. 


21 4  Jefferson's  Works 


2.    General  schools. 

At  the  discharging  of  the  pupils  from  the  ele- 
mentary schools,  the  two  classes  separate — those 
destined  for  labor  will  engage  in  the  business  of 
agriculture,  or  enter  into  apprenticeships  to  such 
handicraft  art  as  may  be  their  choice;  their  com- 
panions, destined  to  the  pursuits  of  science,  will 
proceed  to  the  college,  which  will  consist,  ist  of 
general  schools;  and,  2d,  of  professional  schools. 
The  general  schools  will  constitute  the  second 
grade  of  education. 

The  learned  class  may  still  be  subdivided  into 
two  sections:  1,  Those  who  are  destined  for 
learned  professions,  as  means  of  livelihood;  and, 
2,  The  wealthy,  who,  possessing  independent  for- 
tunes, may  aspire  to  share  in  conducting  the  affairs 
of  the  nation,  or  to  live  with  usefulness  and  respect 
in  the  private  ranks  of  life.  Both  of  these  sections 
will  require  instruction  in  all  the  higher  branches 
of  science;  the  wealthy  to  qualify  them  for  either 
public  of  private  life;  the  professional  section 
will  need  those  branches,  especially,  which  are  the 
basis  of  their  future  profession,  and  a  general 
knowledge  of  the  others,  as  auxiliary  to  that,  and 
necessary  to  their  standing  and  association  with 
the  scientific  class.  All  the  branches,  then,  of 
useful  science,  ought  to  be  taught  in  the  general 
schools,  to  a  competent  degree,  in  the  first  instance. 
These  sciences  may  be  arranged  into  three  depart- 
ments, not  rigorously  scientific,  indeed,  but  suf- 


i 

Supplementary  Manuscripts        2 15 

ficently  so  for  our  purposes.  These  are,  I. 
Language;    II.     Mathematics;    III.  Philosophy. 

I.  Language.  In  the  first  department,  I  would 
arrange  a  distinct  science.  1,  Languages  and  His- 
tory, ancient  and  modern;  2,  Grammar;  3,  Belles 
Lettres;  4,  Rhetoric  and  Oratory;  5,  A  school  for 
the  deaf,  dumb  and  blind.  History  is  here  asso- 
ciated with  languages,  not  as  a  kindred  subject, 
but  on  the  principle  of  economy,  because  both 
may  be  attained  by  the  same  course  of  reading, 
if  books  are  selected  with  that  view. 

II.  Mathematics.  In  the  department  of  Mathe- 
matics, I  should  give  place  distinctly:  1,  Mathe- 
matics pure;    2,  Physico-Mathematics ;   3,  Physic; 

4,  Chemistry;  5,  Natural  History,  to  wit:  Miner- 
alogy; 6,  Botany;  and  7,  Zoology;  8,  Anatomy; 
9,  the  Theory  of  Medicine. 

III.  Philosophy.  In  the  Philosophical  depart- 
ment, I  should  distinguish:  1,  Ideology;  2,  Ethics; 
3,  the  Law  of  Nature  and  Nations;  4,  Government; 

5,  Political  Economy. 

But,  some  of  these  terms  being  used  by  different 
writers,  in  different  degrees  of  extension,  I  shall 
define  exactly  what  I  mean  to  comprehend  in  each 
of  them. 

I.  3.  Within  the  term  of  Belles  Lettres  I 
include  poetry  and  composition  generally,  and 
criticism. 

II.  1.  I  consider  pure  mathematics  as  the 
science  of,   1,  Numbers,  and  2,  Measure  in  the 


Jefferson's  Works 


abstract;  that  of  numbers  comprehending  Arith- 
metic, Algebra  and  Fluxions;  that  of  Measure 
(under  the  general  appellation  of  Geometry),  com- 
prehending Trigonometry,  plane  and  spherical,  conic 
sections,  and  transcendental  curves. 

II.  2.  Physico-Mathematics  treat  of  physical 
subjects  by  the  aid  of  mathematical  calculation. 
These  are  Mechanics,  Statics,  Hydrostatics,  Hydro- 
dynamics, Navigation,  Astronomy,  Geography, 
Optics,  Pneumatics,  Acoustics. 

II.  3.  Physics,  or  Natural  Philosophy  (not 
entering  the  limits  of  Chemistry)  treat  of  natural 
substances,  their  properties,  mutual  relations  and 
action.  They  particularly  examine  the  subjects  of 
motion,  action,  magnetism,  eletricity,  galvanism, 
light,  meteorology,  with  an  etc.  not  easily  enum- 
erated. These  definitions  and  specifications  render 
immaterial  the  question  whether  I  use  the  generic 
terms  in  the  exact  degree  of  comprehension  in  which 
others  use  them;  to  be  understood  is  all  that  is 
necessary  to  the  present  object. 

3.    Professional  Schools. 

At  the  close  of  this  course  the  students  separate; 
the  wealthy  retiring,  with  a  sufficient  stock  of 
knowledge,  to  improve  themselves  to  any  degree 
to  which  their  views  may  lead  them,  and  the  pro- 
fessional section  to  the  professional  schools,  con- 
stituting the  third  grade  of  education,  and  teaching 
the  particular  sciences  which  the  individuals  of 
this  section  mean  to  pursue,  with  more  minuteness 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  2I7 

and  detail  than  was  within  the  scope  of  the  general 
schools  for  the  second  grade  of  instruction.  In 
these  professional  schools  each  science  is  to  be 
taught  in  the  highest  degree  it  has  yet  attained. 
They  are  to  be  the 

ist  Department,  the  fine  arts,  to  wit:  Civil 
Architecture,  Gardening,  Painting,  Sculpture,  and 
the  Theory  of  Music;  the 

2d  Department,  Architecture,  Military  and  Naval; 
Projectiles,  Rural  Economy  (comprehending  Agri- 
culture, Horticulture  and  Veterinary),  Technical 
Philosophy,  the  Practice  of  Medicine,  Materia 
Medica,  Pharmacy  and  Surgery.    In  the 

3d  Department,  Theology  and  Ecclesiastical 
History;  Law,  Municipal  and  Foreign. 

To  these  professional  schools  will  come  those 
who  separated  at  the  close  of  their  first  elementary 
course,  to  wit: 

The  lawyer  to  the  law  school. 

The  ecclesiastic  to  that  of  theology  and  eccle- 
siastical history. 

The  physican  to  those  of  medicine,  materia 
medica,  pharmacy  and  surgery. 

The  military  man  to  that  of  military  and  naval 
architecture  and  projectiles. 

The  agricultor  to  that  of  rural  economy. 

The  gentleman,  the  architect,  the  pleasure  gar- 
dener, painter  and  musician  to  the  school  of  fine 
arts. 

And  to  that  of  technical  philosophy  will  come 


2I8  Jefferson's  Works 


the  mariner,  carpenter,  shipwright,  pumpmaker, 
clockmaker,  machinist,  optician,  metallurgist, 
founder,  cutler,  druggist,  brewer,  vintner,  distiller, 
dyer,  painter,  bleacher,  soapmaker,  tanner,  powder- 
maker,  saltmaker,  glassmaker,  to  learn  as  much 
as  shall  be  necessary  to  pursue  their  art  under- 
standingly,  of  the  sciences  of  geometry,  mechanics, 
statics,  hydrostatics,  hydraulics,  hydrodynamics, 
navigation,  astronomy,  geography,  optics,  pneu- 
matics, physics,  chemistry,  natural  history,  botany, 
mineralogy  and  pharmacy. 

The  school  of  technical  philosophy  will  differ 
essentially  in  its  functions  from  the  other  profes- 
sional schools.  The  others  are  instituted  to  ramify 
and  dilate  the  particular  sciences  taught  in  the 
schools  of  the  second  grade  on  a  general  scale  only. 
The  technical  school  is  to  abridge  those  which  were 
taught  there  too  much  in  extenso  for  the  limited 
wants  of  the  artificer  or  practical  man.  These 
artificers  must  be  grouped  together,  according  to 
the  particular  branch  of  science  in  which  they 
need  elementary  and  practical  instruction;  and 
a  special  lecture  or  lectures  should  be  prepared 
for  each  group.  And  these  lectures  should  be 
given  in  the  evening,  so  as  not  to  interrupt  the 
labors  of  the  day.  The  school,  particularly,  should 
be  maintained  wholly  at  the  public  expense,  on 
the  same  principles  with  that  of  the  ward  schools. 
Through  the  whole  of  the  collegiate  course,  at 
the  hours  of  recreation  on  certian  days,  all  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  2I9 


students  should  be  taught  the  manual  exercise; 
military  evolutions  and  manceuvers  should  be 
under  a  standing  organization  as  a  military  corps, 
and  with  proper  officers  to  train  and  command 
them, 

A  tabular  statement  of  this  distribution  of  the 
sciences  will  place  the  system  of  instruction  more 
particularly  in  view: 

ist  or  Elementary  Grade  in  the  Ward  Schools. 
Reading,  Writing,  Arithmetic,  Geography. 
2d,  or  General  Grade. 

1.  Language  and  History,  ancient  and  modern. 

2.  Mathematics,  viz:  Mathematics  pure,  Physico- 
Mathematics,  Physics,  Chemistry,  Anatomy,  Theory 
of  Medicine,  Zoology,  Botany  and  Mineralogy. 

3.  Philosophy,  viz:  Ideology,  and  Ethics,  Law 
of  Nature  and  Nations,  Government,  Political 
Economy. 

3d,  or  Professional  Grades. 
Theology  and  Ecclesiastical  History;  Law,  Mun- 
icipal and  Foreign;  Practice  of  Medicine;  Materia 
Medica  and  Pharmacy;  Surgery;  Architecture, 
Military  and  Naval,  and  Projectiles;  Technical 
Philosophy;   Rural  Economy;   Fine  Arts. 

On  this  survey  of  the  field  of  science,  I  recur 
to  the  question,  what  portion  of  it  we  mark  out 
for  the  occupation  of  our  institution?  With  the 
first  grade  of  education  we  shall  have  nothing  to 
do.    The  sciences  of  the  second  grade  are  our  first 


2  2o  Jefferson's  Works 


object ;  and,  to  adapt  them  to  our  slender  beginnings, 
we  must  separate  them  into  groups,  comprehending 
many  sciences  each,  and  greatly  more,  in  the  first 
instance,  than  ought  to  be  imposed  on,  or  can 
be  competently  conducted  by  a  single  professor 
permanently.  They  must  be  subdivided  from  time 
to  time,  as  our  means  increase,  until  each  professor 
shall  have  no  more  under  his  care  than  he  can 
attend  to  with  advantage  to  his  pupils  and  ease 
to  himself.  For  the  present,  we  may  group  the 
sciences  into  professorships,  as  follows,  subject, 
however,  to  be  changed,  according  to  the  qualifi- 
cations of  the  persons  we  may  be  able  to  engage. 

I.  Professorship. 
Languages  and  History,  ancient  and  modern. 
Belles-Lettres,  Rhetoric  and  Oratory. 

I I .  Professorship. 
Mathematics  pure,  Physico-Mathematics. 
Physics,  Anatomy,  Medicine,  Theory. 

III.  Professorship. 
Chemistry,  Zoology,  Botany,  Mineralogy. 

IV.  Professorship. 

Philosophy. 

The  organization  of  the  branch  of  the  institu- 
tion which  respects  its  government,  police  and 
economy,  depending  on  principles  which  have  no 
affinity  with  those  of  its  institution,  may  be  the 
subject  of  separate  and  subsequent  consideration. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  221 

With  this  tribute  of  duty  to  the  board  of  trustees, 
accept  assurances  of  my  great  esteem  and  con- 
sideration. 


TO  WILLIAM  CARUTHERS. 

Monticello,  December  3,  18 14. 

Sir, — Your  letter  of  Nov.  22  come  to  hand 
yesterday  afternoon  only,  and  I  sincerely  regret 
it  had  not  been  a  single  day  earlier. 

A  few  day  after  you  called  on  me  on  your  way 
to  the  North,  Dr.  Thornton  came  and  proposed 
to  lease  the  Natural  Bridge  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  a  shot  manufactory.  I  told  him  at 
once  you  had  applied  for  it  for  the  same  purpose 
a  few  days  before  and  must  have  a  preference. 
He  expressed  much  concern  at  the  disappoint- 
ment, being  then  on  his  way  to  the  lead  mines  to 
contract  for  lead.  I  at  length  agreed  if  he  could 
find  a  secondary  situation  on  the  bank  I  would 
lease  it  to  him,  but  that  you  must  have  the  Bridge 
if  you  chose  it  on  your  return  as  you  were  not 
entirely  decided  when  you  passed  on. .  I  then  had 
occasion  for  the  first  time  to  turn  my  mind  to  the 
principles  on  which  a  rent  should  be  fixed,  and 
we  agreed  that  he  should  pay  one  hundred  and 
eighty  dollars  a  year  for  a  site. 

He  went  to  the  mines  and  contracted  for  the 
whole  lead  which  could  be  furnished  there  in  one  year. 
He  called  on  me  again  the  evening  before  last  and 


222  Jefferson's  Works 


still  pressed  for  the  Bridge.  I  considered  that 
when  you  went  northwardly  you  were  undecided, 
that  you  were  to  let  me  know  on  your  return, 
that  you  had  been  back  some  time  and  I  had  heard 
nothing  from  you;  Dr.  Thornton  informed  me  he 
had  spoken  with  a  person  in  Richmond,  who  he 
understood  was  to  have  had  some  concern  with 
you  in  the  enterprise,  who  told  him  you  had  been 
returned  some  time,  had  got  no  workmen  and 
that  it  seemed  the  speculation  would  not  answer 
and  must  be  abandoned.  He  told  me  also  it  was 
his  purpose  to  propose  to  you  a  part  of  the  concern, 
if  you  chose  it.  Under  these  circumstances  I 
really  supposed  the  thing  abandoned  by  you,  and 
that  I  ought  not  to  lose  a  certain  offer.  I  there- 
fore executed  a  lease  for  five  years  to  the  Doctor 
with  which  he  had  left  me  about  six  hours  when 
your  letter  came  to  hand. 

This,  Sir,  is  an  exact  statement  of  what  has 
passed  on  this  occasion,  and  I  sincerely  regret  that 
I  did  not  receive  your  letter  a  few  hours  only  sooner, 
as  it  was  my  desire  and  purpose  to  have  given 
you  a  preference  to  any  other  applicant  what- 
ever, and  I  shall  be  gratified  if  your  taking  part 
in  a  joint  concern  should  be  more  eligible  to  you 
than  one  in  rivalship,  and  especially  after  you  had 
been  forestalled  in  the  produce  of  the  mines  which, 
of  itself  excluded  every  rival.  I  hope  you  will 
find  in  these  circumstances  my  excuse  for  acting 
on  the  belief  that  you  had  abandoned  your  views 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       22  3 


on  this  object,  and  that  you  will  accept  the  assur- 
ance of  my  great  esteem  and  respect. 


TO  B.   S.  BARTON. 

Monticello,  February  26,  1815. 

Dear  Sir, — Congress  having  concluded  to  replace 
by  my  library  the  one  they  lost  by  British  van- 
dalism, it  is  now  become  their  property  and  of 
course  my  duty  to  collect  and  put  in  place  what- 
ever stood  in  the  catalogue  by  which  they  pur- 
chased. This  renders  it  necessary  for  me  to  request 
the  return  of  Persoon's  Botanical  work  of  which 
you  asked  the  use  some  time  ago.  I  am  in  hopes 
you  have  been  able  to  make  it  answer  the  purposes 
for  which  you  wished  its  use.  If  well  enveloped 
in  strong  paper  it  will  come  safely  by  mail. 

I  congratulate  you  on  the  happy  event  of  peace 
and  the  great  action  of  eclat  at  New  Orleans  by 
which  the  war  was  closed.  I  hope  the  legislature 
will  take  care  of  your  city,  now  become  of  so  much 
importance  by  its  manufactures.  I  have  come  to 
a  resolution  myself  as  I  hope  every  good  citizen 
will,  never  again  to  purchase  any  article  of  foreign 
manufacture  which  can  be  had  of  American  make 
be  the  difference  of  price  what  it  may.  The 
greatest  obstacle  I  apprehend  to  our  manufac- 
tures is  our  slavish  obsequiousness  to  British 
fashions.  The  British  stuffs  in  fashion  will  be 
sent  to  usf  and  while  our  workmen  are  preparing 


224  Jefferson's  Works 


to  imitate  them,  the  fashion  will  have  vanished 
and  our  belles  and  beaux  be  drawn  off  to  some- 
thing newer.  This  is  a  great  evil,  but  I  fear  an 
irremediable  one.  It  is  the  particular  domain  in 
which  the  fools  have  usurped  dominion  over  the 
wise,  and  as  they  are  in  a  majority  they  hold  to 
the  fundamental  law  of  the  majority.  Accept  the 
assurances  of  my  constant  esteem  and  respect. 


TO  J.   CORREA  DE  SERRA. 

Monticello,  January  i,  1816. 
I  learned,  my  dear  Sir,  with  inexpressible  concern 
on  my  arrival  at  home,  that  my  detention  in  Bedford 
had  lost  me  the  pleasure  of  your  visit  here.  Having 
heard  nothing  from  you  since  our  parting  on  the 
Natural  Bridge,  I  had  supposed  your  return  longer 
delayed  than  you  had  expected,  and  that  even, 
possibly,  your  course  might  be  so  shaped  as  to 
take  Poplar  Forest  in  your  way.  I  hungered  for 
your  observations  on  the  country  you  had  passed 
over,  and  should  not  probably  have  been  mistaken 
in  your  estimate  of  it.  It  was  additionally  unlucky 
that  when  you  were  at  Monticello  my  family  did 
not  observe  the  letters  for  you  lying  on  my  table, 
some  of  them  had  been  received  a  considerable 
time  before,  but  not  knowing  your  exact  trajectory, 
or  in  what  part  of  it  they  might  light  on  you,  I 
was  afraid  to  risk  them  in  the  attempt.  I  now 
inclose  them  and  add  a  letter  I  wrote  you  under 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        22 5 


cover  to  Mr.  Rhea,  expecting  it  would  get  to  Knox- 
ville  by  mail  before  your  arrival  there  as  it  probably 
did.  But  Mr.  Rhea  being  unfortunately  absent  on 
a  journey  to  the  westward,  you  failed  in  the  receipt 
of  it  as  in  the  benefit  you  might  have  derived  from 
his  friendly  attentions.  He  lately  returned  it  to 
me  with  expressions  of  his  regret  at  having  lost 
the  opportunity  of  being  useful  to  you;  and  I 
now  enclose  it  only  to  show  that  the  failure  did 
not  proceed  from  want  of  attention  in  me.  Not 
knowing  whether  you  may  have  arrived  at  Phila- 
delphia when  this  gets  there  I  put  the  whole  under 
cover  to  Mr.  Vaughan. 

The  death  of  Dr.  Barton  revives  my  anxiety 
to  recover  the  MS.  journals  of  Capt.  Lewis  for 
the  satisfaction  of  his  family,  and  may  at  the  same 
time  facilitate  it.  He  had  promised  me  sacredly 
that  he  would  see  to  its  restoration;  and  as  you 
were  so  kind  as  to  say  you  would  attend  to  it  on 
your  return  to  Philadelphia  I  now  earnestly  entreat 
your  aid  for  this  object,  knowing  nothing  of  what 
is  doing,  or  intended  to  be  done,  as  to  the  publication 
of  the  papers  respecting  the  natural  history  and 
geography  of  the  country,  you  will  oblige  me  by 
any  information  you  can  obtain  on  this  subject. 
The  right  to  these  papers  is  in  the  government 
as  may  be  seen  by  the  instructions  to  Capt.  Lewis , 
they  were  left  in  his  hands  that  he  might  derive 
to  himself  the  pecuniary  benefit  of  their  publication, 
on  the  presumption  they  would  certainly  be  pub- 

VOL.  XIX — 15 


226  Jefferson's  Works 


lished,  if  that  presumption  is  to  fail  the  govern- 
ment must  reclaim  them;  and  it  is  to  put  this 
object  into  an  effective  course  that  I  wish  for 
information  what  is  doing,  or  likely  to  be "  done. 
I  know  I  should  have  the  concurrence  of  General 
Clarke  in  this,  were  he  within  the  timely  reach 
of  consultation,  and  I  shall  not  fail  to  advise  with 
him  as  soon  as  I  can  do  it  understandingly. 

I  am  ashamed  to  ask  whether  your  observations 
or  information  as  to  the  cisterns  of  Charlestown 
can  facilitate  the  perfecting  of  those  I  have  con- 
structed because  by  some  accident  which  I  cannot 
ascertain,  I  lost  the  paper  you  were  so  kind  as 
to  give  me  at  Dowthwaites.  You  recollect  our 
situation  there;  I  was  shaving,  changing  my  linen, 
opening  and  doing  up  my  baggage  on  the  bed 
when  you  put  that  paper  into  my  hands.  I 
thought  it  certain  that  I  put  it  into  my  pocket, 
but  when  I  got  back  to  Poplar  Forest  I  could  not 
find  it.  Whether  it  was  lost  out  of  my  pocket, 
or  laid  and  left  on  the  bed  I  cannot  say,  but  being 
lost  I  am  thrown  again  on  your  goodness  to  replace 
it  if  you  can. 

What  effect  will  the  apparent  restoration  of 
the  Bourbons  have  on  your  movements?  Will 
it  tempt  your  return?  I  do  not  see  in  this  a  resto- 
ration of  quiet;  on  the  contrary  I  consider  France 
as  in  a  more  volcanic  state  than  at  any  preceding 
time,  there  must  be  an  explosion  and  one  of  the 
most   destructive  character.    I  look  forward  to 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        22 7 

crimes  more  fierce  and  pitiless  than  those  which 
have  already  distinguished  that  bloody  revolution. 
These  are  not  scenes,  my  dear  friend,  for  you  to 
be  thrown  into.  They  have  no  analogies  with  the 
tranquillity  of  your  character.  True,  we  cannot 
offer  you  the  scientific  society  of  Paris,  but  who 
can  enjoy  science,  or  who  think  of  it  in  the  midst 
of  insurrection,  madness  and  massacre?  Besides, 
you  possess  all  science  within  yourself;  from  others 
you  can  get  nothing  new,  and  the  pleasure  of  com- 
municating it  should  be  greatest  where  it  is  most 
wanting.  Stay  then  with  us,  become  our  instructor, 
help  us  on  in  the  paths  of  that  science  which  is 
wanting  to  our  ripening  character.  You  know 
how  much  you  are  beloved  and  desired  every- 
where, welcome  everywhere,  but  nowhere  so 
cordially  as  at  Monticello.  Come  and  make  it 
your  home  then,  the  place  of  rest  and  tranquillity, 
from  which,  as  your  pre-des-tal,  you  can  make 
what  excursions  you  please.  You  will  find  its 
summers  as  moderate  as  those  of  Philadelphia, 
and  its  winters  more  so.  Had  I  arrived  before 
your  departure  I  should  have  pressed  your  trial  of  it 
for  the  present  winter.  A  comfortable  room  in 
a  country  of  fuel,  for  retirement  when  you  chose 
it,  and  a  sociable  family  full  of  affection  and  respect 
for  you,  when  tired  of  being  alone,  would  have 
made  you  forget  the  suspension  of  the  season  for 
botanical  rambling.  Turn  this  subject  in  your 
mind,  my  good  friend,  and  let  us  have  as  much 


228  Jefferson's  Works 


of  the  benefit  of  the  result  as  shall  be  consistent 
with  your  own  happiness,  and  in  all  cases  be  assured 
of  my  warm  affection  and  respect. 


TO  THOMAS  APPLETON. 

Monticello,  January  14,  1816. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  letters  of  August  26  and  Octo- 
ber 25  have  been  both  received.  The  condition 
of  my  friend  Mazzei,  both  of  body  and  mind,  is 
really  afflicting,  of  the  former  he  had  given  me 
some  account  himself,  of  the  latter  I  was  unapprised, 
although  his  very  advanced  age,  with  such  bodily 
infirmities,  might  have  given  room  to  expect  it. 
It  is  unfortunate,  too,  that  persons  in  that  situation 
are  themselves  the  least  and  last  sensible  of  it, 
and  injure  their  affairs  and  family  by  not  knowing 
when  to  give  them  up.  Under  the  circumstances 
you  state,  friendship  to  himself  requires  a  co-ope- 
ration with  his  family  in  keeping  him  and  them 
from  injury.  It  is  what  he  himself  would  have 
approved  in  the  sounder  state  of  his  mind.  It  is 
unlucky  that  a  little  before  the  date,  and  two 
months  before  the  receipt  of  your  first  letter,  I 
had  written  to  him  assurances  that  he  should 
receive  a  third  of  his  principal,  with  its  interest, 
in  the  ensuing  spring,  and  the  remaining  two-thirds 
at  two  annual  instalments  after.  Of  course  some 
excuse  must  be  found  to  him,  when,  according  to  the 
request  of  his  family,  I  remit  the  interest  only  in 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  229 


the  spring  without  the  portion  of  the  principal. 
This  may  be  found,  perhaps,  in  the  expediency 
of  his  keeping  something  as  a  forlorn  hope  for 
himself  and  his  family  in  a  country  where  all  is 
secure,  until  the  affairs  of  Europe  are  more  settled, 
or  in  some  motives  of  inconvenience  to  myself 
which  his  friendship  may  admit.  I  will  remit  a 
year's  interest,  therefore,  in  the  spring  through 
your  hands,  and  you  will  act  on  it  for  him  and 
his  family,  as  you  and  they  will  find  most  practicable 
and  for  the  best.  In  this,  and  whatever  else  may 
be  best  for  his  family,  I  beg  you  to  assure  them 
they  may  rely  on  me,  conscious  that  in  serving 
them  I  shall  do  for  him  what  I  would  expect  my 
friends  to  do  for  me  in  a  like  situation. 

I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  hold  up  to  Mr. 
Bartholini  a  prospect  of  employment  and  emolu- 
ment here  worthy  of  his  talent.  Our  early  and 
prolific  marriages,  and  the  justice  of  our  laws 
dividing  the  property  of  the  parents  equally  among 
all  the  children,  place  the  body  of  our  people  in 
ease  and  happiness  in  the  mass  but  occasion  rare 
instances  of  great  individual  wealth.  You  know 
kow  unusual  these  instances  are  and  how  few 
even  among  them  have  a  taste  for  the  fine  arts. 
There  is  at  this  time  an  Italian  artist  of  the  name 
of  Andiriani — or  Franzioni,  I  do  not  know  which 
— lately  gone  from  this  country  to  Florence,  Rome, 
etc.,  in  quest  of  artists  to  assist  him  in  repairing 
the  Capitol  at  Washington,  burnt  by  the  British. 


*3°  Jefferson's  Works 


He  is  one  of  two  who  were  procured  by  Mr.  Mazzei 
and  forwarded  over  by  yourself  about  eight  or  ten 
years  ago.  His  object  there  at  present  is  to  obtain 
architects  only,  and  I  name  him  merely  because, 
having  resided  here  so  long,  he  could  be  able  to 
give  to  Mr.  Bartolini  information  of  the  country 
the  best  adapted  to  his  views. 

I  note  what  you  say  of  the  bust  of  General  Wash- 
ington by  Ciracchi  and  those  of  Columbus  and 
Vespucius,  but  I  am  done  with  dealing  in  marble. 
An  humble  copy  in  plaster  of  Ciracchi 's  Wash- 
ington would  be  my  limit  in  that  way.  Perhaps 
you  can  tell  me  what  such  an  one  would  cost,  I 
may  include  it  in  some  future  remittance. 

For  the  present  I  confine  myself  to  the  physical 
want  of  some  good  Montepulciano ;  and  your 
friendship  has  theretofore  supplied  me  with  that 
which  was  so  good  that  I  naturally  address  my 
want  to  you.  In  your  letter  of  May  i,  '05,  you 
mention  that  what  you  then  sent  me  was  produced 
on  grounds  formerly  belonging  to  the  order  of 
Jesuits  and  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  government 
in  1773,  at  the  time  that  that  institution  was 
abolished.  I  hope  it  has  preserved  its  reputation 
and  the  quality  of  its  wines.  I  send  this  letter  to 
my  friend  John  Vaughan  of  Philadelphia,  and 
inclose  with  it  to  him  fifty  dollars  to  be  remitted 
to  you,  and  I  pray  you  to  send  me  its  amount  in 
Montepulciano  in  black  bottles,  well  corked  and 
cemented,  and  in  strong  boxes,  addressed  to  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  23I 


collector  of  any  port  from  Boston  to  the  Chesa- 
peake, to  which  the  first  opportunity  occurs. 
Norfolk  and  Richmond  being  always  to  be  pre- 
ferred if  a  conveyance  equally  early  offers.  But 
the  warm  season  will  be  so  fast  advancing  when 
you  receive  this  that  no  time  will  be  to  be  lost. 
Perhaps  I  may  trouble  you  annually  to  about  the 
same  amount,  this  being  a  very  favorite  wine, 
and  habit  having  rendered  the  light  and  high 
flowered  wines  a  necessity  of  life  with  me.  I 
salute  you  with  assurances  of  my  constant  esteem 
and  respect. 


TO  P.   S.  DUPONCEAU. 

Monticello,  January  22,  1816. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have  been  for  the  last  five  months 
absent  from  home,  which  must  apologize  for  this 
very  tardy  acknowledgment  of  your  favor  of 
November  14.  I  learn  with  much  satisfaction 
the  enlargement  by  the  Philosophical  Society  of 
the  scope  of  their  institution  by  the  establishment 
of  a  standing  committee  for  history,  the  moral 
sciences  and  general  literature.  I  have  always 
thought  that  we  were  too  much  confined  in  practice 
to  the  natural  and  mathematical  departments. 
This  committee  will  become  a  depository  for  many 
original  MS.,  many  loose  sheets  of  no  use  by  them- 
selves and  in  the  hands  of  the  holders,  but  of  great 
value  when  brought  into  a  general  depot  open  to 


232  Jefferson's  Works 


the  use  of  the  future  historian  or  literary  inquirer. 
I  shall  be  very  happy  to  contribute  to  the  use- 
fulness of  your  establishment  by  anything  in  my 
possession  or  within  the  reach  of  my  endeavors, 
and  I  begin  by  inclosing  you  a  geographical  and 
statistical  account  in  MS.  of  the  Creek  or  Muscogee 
Indians  and  Country  as  it  was  in  the  years  of  '98 
and  '99.  This  was  written  by  Colonel  Hawkins 
who  has  lived  among  them  as  agent  now  upwards 
of  twenty  years.  Besides  a  general  interspersion 
of  observations  on  the  state  of  society,  manners  and 
opinion  among  them,  there  is  in  the  latter  part 
an  interesting  account  of  their  government  and 
ceremonies,  civil  and  religious,  the  more  valuable 
as  we  have  so  little  information  of  the  civil  regimen 
of  the  Indian  nations.  I  think  it  probable  I  may 
find  other  things  on  my  shelves,  or  among  my 
papers  worth  preserving  with  you,  and  will  with 
pleasure  forward  them  from  time  to  time  as  I  lay 
my  hands  on  them. 

Of  the  MS.  journal  of  the  Commissioners  of  1728 
on  the  North  Carolina  boundary,  I  cannot  give  you 
positive  information.  It  has  always  been  under- 
stood that  the  Westover  family  possessed  such  a 
journal  written  by  their  ancestor,  Dr.  Byrd,  who 
was  one  of  the  Commissioners,  was  the  father  of 
the  late  Colonel  William  Byrd,  a  member  of  our 
council,  who  died  soon  after  the  beginning  of  our 
revolution.  Dr.  Byrd  was  the  founder  of  the 
Westover  library  and  of  the  princely  estate  which 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  233 


was  dissipated  by  his  son,  and  has  left  behind 
him  the  reputation  of  being  a  man  of  learning 
and  understanding.  Within  these  two  or  three 
years  I  was  offered  the  reading  of  this  MS.  by 
some  one  whom  I  cannot  now  recollect,  but  a  con- 
nection of  the  Westover  family.  I  will  make 
enquiry  into  this  and  communicate  to  you  the 
result.  Accept  the  assurance  of  my  great  respect 
and  esteem. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN. 

Monticello,  April  II,  1816. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  last  favor  is  received  just  as 
I  am  setting  out  for  a  possession  ninety  miles 
southwardly,  from  whence  I  shall  not  return  until 
the  first  week  of  the  ensuing  month.  I  hasten, 
therefore,  to  drop  you  a  line  of  adieu.  I  sincerely 
rejoice  that  you  are  going  to  France.  I  do  not 
think  with  you  that  nothing  can  be  done  there. 
Louis  XVIII  is  a  fool  and  a  bigot,  but  bating  a 
little  duplicity  he  is  honest  and  means  well.  He 
cannot  but  feel  the  heavy  hand  of  his  masters, 
and  that  it  is  England  which  presses  it  and 
vaunts  the  having  had  the  glory  of  effecting  their 
humiliation.  His  ministers,  too,  although  ultra- 
royalists,  must  feel  as  Frenchmen,  although  our 
government  is  an  eyesore  to  them,  the  pride 
and  pressure  of  England  is  more  present  to  their 
feelings,  and  they  must  be  sensible  that  having 


234  Jefferson's  Works 


a  common  enemy,  an  intimate  connection  with  us 
must  be  of  value  to  them.  England  hates  us, 
dreads  us,  and  yet  is  silly  enough  to  keep  us  under 
constant  irritation  instead  of  making  us  her  friends. 
She  will  use  all  her  sway  over  the  French  Govern- 
ment to  obstruct  our  commerce  with  them,  and 
it  is  exactly  there  you  can  act  with  effect  by  keeping 
that  government  informed  of  the  truth  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  lies  of  England. 

I  thank  you  for  your  attention  to  my  request 
as  to  Mr.  Terril.  You  judge  rightly  that  I  have 
no  acquaintances  left  in  France.  Some  were  guil- 
lotined, some  fled,  some  died,  some  are  exiled 
and  I  know  of  nobody  but  Lafayette.  I  correspond 
with  his  connection  M.  Destutt  Tracy,  the  ablest 
writer  in  France  in  the  moral  line.  Your  acquaint- 
ance with  M.  de  Lafayette  will  of  course  bring 
you  to  that  of  M.  Tracy.  Will  you  permit  me 
to  tell  you  a  long  story  and  to  vindicate  me  in 
conversation  to  both  those  friends  before  whom 
it  is  impossible,  but  that  I  must  stand  in  need  of  it. 

M.  Tracy  has  written  the  best  work  on  political 
economy  which  has  ever  appeared,  he  has  estab- 
lished its  principles  more  demonstratively  than 
has  been  done  before,  and  in  the  compass  of  one- 
third  of  even  M.  Say's  work.  He  feared  to  print 
it  in  France  and  sent  it  to  me  to  have  it  translated 
and  printed  here.  I  immediately  proposed  it  to 
Daune  who  engaged  to  have  it  done.  After  putting 
me  off  from  six  months  to  six  months  he  at  length 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  235 


(after  two  or  three  years  delay)  wrote  me  that 
he  had  had  it  translated  but  was  not  able  to  print 
it.  I  got  from  him  the  original  and  the  translation 
and  proposed  the  publishing  of  it  to  Milligan  of 
Georgetown,  promising  to  revise  the  translation 
if  he  would  undertake  it.  He  agreed  to  it,  and 
when  I  came  to  look  into  the  translation  it  had 
been  done  by  one  who  understood  neither  French 
nor  English,  and  I  then  rejoiced  that  Duane  had 
not  published  it;  it  would  have  been  horrid.  I 
worked  on  it  four  or  five  hours  a  day  for  three 
months  comparing  word  by  word  with  the  original, 
and,  although  I  have  made  it  a  strictly  faithful 
translation,  yet  it  is  without  style,  le  premier  jet 
was  such  as  to  render  that  impossible.  I  sent 
the  whole  to  Milligan  about  ten  days  ago  and  he 
had  informed  me  his  type  and  everything  was 
ready  to  begin  it.  I  have  not  the  courage  to  write 
to  M.  Tracy  until  I  can  send  him  a  copy  of  the 
book,  and  were  I  to  write  to  M.  Lafayette  and 
be  silent  on  this  subject  they  would  conclude  I 
had  abandoned  it,  but  in  truth  I  have  never  ceased 
to  urge  it,  indeed,  I  take  great  interest  in  its  publi- 
cation, its  brevity  will  recommend  it  to  our  country- 
men, and  its  logic  set  their  minds  to  rights  as  to 
principles  and  you  know  there  in  no  science  on 
which  they  are  so  little  informed.  Now  can  you 
remember  all  this,  and  will  you  be  so  good  as  to 
place  me  erect  again  before  my  friends  by  a  verbal 
explanation? 


336  Jefferson's  Works 


God  bless  you  and  give  you  a  safe  and  pleasant 
voyage  and  a  safe  return  to  us  in  the  fullness  of  time. 

I  trouble  you  with  two  letters  to  Mr.  Terril  to 
be  forwarded  to  Geneva. 


TO  J.  F.  DUMOULIN. 

Monticello,  May  7,  1816. 
Sir, — Your  favor  of  April  12  is  just  received, 
and  with  it  the  two  copies  of  your  treatise  on 
Naturalization  and  Allegiance,  the  one  of  which 
has  been  delivered  as  you  requested  to  Colonel 
Randolph  and  for  the  other  be  pleased  to  accept 
my  thanks.  From  a  cursory  view  I  promise  my- 
self great  pleasure  in  reading  it,  as  well  from  its 
logic  as  its  learning  on  these  subjects.  We  cannot 
but  think  alike,  and  I  permit  myself  to  doubt 
whether  there  is  a  man  in  the  world  who  thinks 
otherwise;  provided  he  has  thought  at  all  on  the 
subject,  has  turned  inwardly  on  himself  and  ascer- 
tained whether  he  has  not  there  found  the  same 
innate  feeling  of  right  to  live  on  the  outside  of 
an  artificial  geographical  line  as  he  has  to  live 
within  it;  whether  he  finds  there  any  stronger 
sentiment  of  right  to  use  his  own  faculties  at  all 
than  of  that  to  use  them  in  whatever  place  he 
can  do  it  to  the  greatest  promotion  of  his  own 
happiness;  whether  he  feels  any  obligation  to  die 
by  disease  or  famine  in  one  country  rather  than 
go  to  another  where  he  can  live? 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  237 


The  family  accepts  with  thankfulness  the  kind 
expression  of  your  remembrance  of  them,  and 
joins  me  in  assuring  you  that  we  consider  our- 
selves as  the  debtors  for  the  visit  you  did  us  the 
favor  to  make  the  last  autumn,  and  in  assurance 
of  great  esteem  and  respect. 


TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Monticello,  May  17,  1816. 
I  received,  my  dear  friend,  yesterday  evening 
only,  your  letter  of  January  2 1 ,  and  this  day  I  write 
to  a  bookseller  in  Philadelphia  to  send  immediately 
for  you  two  copies  of  the  Anonymous  Review  of 
Montesquieu,  under  cover  to  Mr.  Gallatin,  if  he 
be  not  gone.  In  a  letter  to  him  lately  I  begged 
of  him  to  say  to  yourself  and  M.  T.  that  I  had 
not  the  courage  to  write  to  either  of  you  until  I 
could  send  a  copy  of  the  work  on  political  economy, 
which  I  have  been  so  long  endeavoring  to  get 
printed. 

I  will  state  to  you,  however,  the  simple  fact. 
I  proposed  to  the  same  editor  at  Philadelphia  to 
translate  and  print  this,  who  had  done  the  former 
work;  he  undertook  it.  After  time  enough  had 
elapsed,  as  I  thought,  to  have  heard  of  its  publication, 
I  wrote  to  ask  when  it  would  appear?  At  such 
a  time  it  was  answered.  It  is  needless  to  repeat 
to  you  the  subsequent  reiterated  application,  excuses 
and  promises,  they  ended  finally  in  a  declaration 


23s  Jefferson's  Works 


that  the  work  was  translated  but  that  he  could 
not  print  it.  I  then  desired  a  return  of  the  work; 
it  was  sent  to  me  with  the  translation.  I  then 
engaged  a  person  in  Washington  to  print  it,  offering 
if  he  would,  to  revise  the  translation  myself.  He 
has  undertaken  it,  but  when  I  came  to  look  into 
the  translation,  I  found  it  such  as  had  never  been 
seen.  It  had  been  done  by  a  person  who  under- 
stood neither  French  nor  English.  I  entered  on 
the  corrections,  and  had  got  too  far  into  it  before 
I  became  sensible  it  would  have  been  shorter  for 
me  to  have  translated  it  anew.  I  spent  five  hours 
a  day  on  it  for  between  two  and  three  months. 
I  was  able  at  length  to  make  it  faithful  to  the  text 
but  not  elegant,  le  premier  jet  rendered  that  impos- 
sible. It  has  been  in  the  hands  of  the  editor  about 
a  month,  but  as  he  is  to  send  me  the  proof  sheets 
for  correction  successively  as  they  come  out  and 
by  mail,  it  will  employ  the  summer  and  autumn 
probably. 

Nothing  has  been  spared  which  depended  on 
me  and  had  I  resided  where  the  publication  was 
undertaken  I  could,  by  daily  attention,  have  soon 
seen  into  the  fact  and  cause  of  delay  and  have 
remedied  them.  But  at  the  distance  of  300  miles 
from  Philadelphia,  unable  to  get  information  but 
such  as  the  undertaker  chose  to  give,  and  through 
the  public  mail,  I  was  quite  at  his  mercy.  Still 
I  shall  think  my  trouble  and  vexation  well  requited 
by  possessing  my  countrymen  of  such  a  work. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  239 

Its  principles  are  so  profound,  so  logically  demon- 
strated and  so  briefly  expressed  that  it  must  become 
the  elementary  book  of  the  world  for  the  science 
of  political  economy,  as  the  other  will  be  of  that 
of  government.  The  very  metaphysical  character 
of  the  prefatory  pieces  may  deter  some  readers 
not  in  the  habit  of  abstract  contemplation,  while 
it  will  be  highly  satisfactory  to  those  which  are. 
The  indications,  however,  are  sufficient  which  show 
the  former  where  the  part  of  the  work  begins  which 
will  be  interesting  to  them  and  levelled  to  com- 
prehensions less  exercised  in  speculations  of  this 
character. 

In  this  plain  statement  I  hope  yourself  and 
your  friend  will  find  an  apology  for  the  delays 
which  have  taken  place  in  sending  you  this  work. 
With  respect  to  the  Commentary  on  Montesquieu 
there  is  a  fact  of  some  note.  You  are  aware  that 
the  Edinburgh  Review  is  considered  as  the  ablest 
work  of  that  kind  which  has  ever  been  published. 
Means  were  taken  to  place  this  work  in  the  hands 
of  the  editor  but  while  the  work  itself  and  the 
principles  of  his  review  permitted  him  to  say  nothing 
against  it,  its  being  an  American  publication  was 
ground  enough  to  avoid  saying  anything  in  its 
favor.  They  have,  therefore,  not  even  mentioned 
it  in  their  monthly  catalogue  of  new  publications. 
Such  are  the  feelings  of  that  country  toward  us. 

Uncertain  whether  Mr.  Gallatin  is  yet  gone, 
and  of  course  whether  this  letter  will  reach  him 


240 


Jefferson's  Works 


in  time,  or  go  by  some  other  conveyance,  it  is 
most  prudent  to  say  little  in  politics.  That  the 
violations  of  all  rights  committed  on  the  con- 
tinent by  France  under  the  directions  of  Bonaparte, 
as  well  as  those  on  the  ocean  by  England,  merited 
a  proper  measure  of  retaliation  and  punishment, 
I  imagine  yourselves  are  sensible.  On  England 
it  is  yet  to  come,  and  on  France  had  it  proceeded 
but  a  reasonable  length,  justice  would  not  have 
condemned  it,  but  it  has  passed  that  term.  The 
continuation  of  it  becomes  aggression,  and  the 
allies  have  gone  on  to  commit  equal  violations 
on  independent  nations  with  those  of  Bonaparte. 
If  there  were  another  world  to  do  it,  the  same 
crusade  ought  now  to  be  undertaken  against  them 
which  they  enlisted  against  France.  Still  I  believe 
the  loss  of  the  battle  of  Waterloo  was  the  salvation 
of  France.  Had  Bonaparte  obtained  the  victory, 
his  talents,  his  egoism  and  destitution  of  all  moral 
principle  would  have  rivetted  a  military  despotism 
on  your  necks.  In  your  present  situation  you 
will  affect  a  constitution  in  which  the  will  of  the 
nation  shall  have  an  organized  control  over  the 
actions  of  its  government,  and  its  citizens  a  regular 
protection  against  its  oppressions. 

I  dare  add  no  more,  but  my  prayers  for 
the  events,  and  that  your  steady  pursuits  of  this 
object  may  be  rewarded  by  the  happiness  of  your 
seeing  it  realized  before  you  sing  your  nunc 
dimittis. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  24* 


TO  FRANCIS  EPPES. 

Monticello,  May  21,  1816. 

I  send  you,  my  dear  Francis,  a  Greek  grammar, 
the  best  I  know  for  the  use  of  schools.  It  is  the 
one  most  generally  used  in  the  United  States.  I 
expect  you  will  begin  it  soon  after  your  arrival 
at  the  New  London  academy.  You  might,  while 
at  home,  amuse  yourself  with  learning  the  letters 
and  spelling  and  reading  the  Greek  words,  so  that 
you  may  not  be  stopped  by  that  when  Mr.  Mitchell 
puts  you  into  the  grammar. 

I  think  you  will  like  him  and  old  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dehavens,  from  the  character  I  have  of  them. 
I  am  sure  Mr.  Mitchell  will  do  everything  for  you 
he  can,  and  I  have  no  fear  that  you  will  not  do 
full  justice  to  his  instruction.  But  while  you 
endeavor,  by  a  good  store  of  learning  to  prepare 
yourself  to  become  an  useful  and  distinguished 
member  of  your  country,  you  must  remember 
that  this  can  never  be  without  uniting  merit  with 
your  learning.  Honesty,  disinterestedness  and  good 
nature  are  indispensable  to  procure  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  those  with  whom  we  live,  and 
on  whose  esteem  our  happiness  depends.  Never 
suffer  a  thought  to  be  harbored  in  your  mind  which 
you  would  not  avow  openly.  When  tempted  to 
do  anything  in  secret  ask  yourself  if  you  would 
do  it  in  public.  If  you  would  not  be  sure  it  is  wrong. 
In  little  disputes  with  your  companions,  give  way 

VOL.  XIX  16 


242  Jefferson's  Works 


rather  than  insist  on  trifles.  For  their  love  and 
the  approbation  of  others  will  be  worth  more 
to  yon  than  the  trifle  in  dispute.  Above  all 
things,  and  at  all  times,  practice  yourself  in  good 
humor.  Whenever  yon  feel  a  warmth  of  temper 
rising  check  it  at  once,  and  suppress  it,  recollecting 
it  will  make  you  unhappy  within  yourself  and 
disliked  by  others.  Nothing  gives  one  person  so 
great  advantage  over  another  as  to  remain  always 
cool  and  unruffled  under  all  circumstances.  Think 
of  these  things,  practice  them,  and  you  will  be 
rewarded  by  the  love  and  confidence  of  the  world. 

I  have  some  expectation  of  being  at  Poplar 
Forest  the  third  week  of  June,  when  I  hope  I  shall 
see  you  going  on  cleverly  and  already  beloved  by 
your  tutor,  curators  and  companions,  as  you  are 
by,  yours  affectionately. 


TO  JAMES  BARBOUR. 

Monticello,  January  19,  181 7. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  9th  is  received 
by  our  last  mail.  I  have  been  very  long  and 
intimately  acquainted  with  Colonel  Trumbull,  have 
had  the  best  opportunity  of  knowing  him  thor- 
oughly and  can  therefore  bear  witness  of  my  own 
knowledge  to  his  high  degree  of  worth  as  a  man. 
For  his  merit  as  a  painter  I  can  quote  higher  author- 
ities, and  assure  you  that  on  the  continent  of 
Europe,  when  I  was  there,  he  was  considered  as 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  *43 

superior  to  West.  Baron  Grimm,  who  was  the 
oracle  of  taste  at  Paris,  in  sculpture,  painting  and 
the  other  fine  arts  generally,  gave  him  the  decided 
preference,  and  came  often  to  my  house  in  Paris 
while  Colonel  Trumbull  was  with  me,  to  see  his 
paintings.  I  pretend  not  to  be  a  connoisseur  in 
the  art  myself,  but  comparing  him  with  others 
of  that  day  I  thought  him  superior  to  any  historical 
painter  of  the  time  except  David.  It  is  in  the 
historical  line  only  that  I  am  acquainted  with 
his  painting.  In  England,  West  was  preferred  by 
the  king  to  whom  all  others  followed  suit. 

The  subjects  on  which  Colonel  Trumbull  has  em- 
ployed his  pencil  are  honorable  to  us,  and  it  would 
be  extremely  desirable  that  they  should  be  retained 
in  this  country  as  monuments  of  the  taste  as  well 
as  of  the  great  revolutionary  scene  of  our  country. 

You  know  how  averse  I  am  to  be  quoted  on  any 
occasion,  yet  as  far  as  my  testimony  to  Colonel 
Trumbull's  worth  can  be  of  any  avail  by  using 
it  in  private  circles  you  are  entirely  free  to  do  so 
as  a  just  tribute  to  truth  and  worth.  Accept  my 
friendly  and  respectful  salutations. 


TO  JAMES  MONROE. 

Monticello,  April  8,  1817. 
Dear  Sir, — I  shall  not  waste  your  time  in  idle  con- 
gratulations.   You  know  my  joy  on  the  commitment 
of  the  helm  of  our  Government  to  your  hands. 


244  Jefferson's  Works 


I  promised  you  when  I  should  have  received 
and  tried  the  wines  I  had  ordered  from  France 
and  Italy  to  give  you  a  note  of  the  kinds  which 
I  should  think  worthy  of  your  procurement;  and 
this  being  the  season  for  ordering  them,  so  that 
they  may  come  in  the  mild  temperature  of  autumn, 
I  now  fulfil  my  promise. 

They  are  the  following: 

Vin  blanc  liquoureux  d1  Hermitage  de  M.  J  our  dan 
a  Tanis.  This  costs  about  eighty-two  and  a  half 
cents  a  bottle  put  on  shipboard. 

Vin  de  Ledarion  (In  Languedoc)  something  of 
the  port  character  but  higher  flavored,  more  deli- 
cate, less  rough.  I  do  not  know  its  price,  but 
probably  about  twenty-five  cents  a  boxtle. 

Vin  de  Roussillon.  The  best  is  that  of  Perpignan 
or  Rives  alte  of  the  crop  of  M.  Durand.  It  costs 
seventy-two  cents  a  gallon,  bears  bringing  in  a 
cask.  If  put  into  bottles  there  it  costs  eleven 
cents  a  bottle  more  than  if  bottled  here  by  an 
inexplicable  and  pernicious  arrangement  of  our  tariff. 

Vin  de  Nice.  The  crop  called  Bellet,  of  Mr. 
Sasterno,  is  the  best.  This  is  the  most  elegant 
every-day  wine  in  the  world  and  costs  thirty-one 
cents  the  bottle.  Not  much  being  made  it  is  little 
known  at  the  general  markets. 

Mr.  Cathalan  of  Marseilles  is  the  best  channel 
for  getting  the  first  three  of  these  wines  and  a  good 
one  for  the  Nice,  being  in  their  neighborhood  and 
knowing  well  who  makes  the  crops  of  best  quality. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  245 

The  Nice  being  a  wine  foreign  to  France  occa- 
sions some  troublesome  forms.  If  you  could  get 
that  direct  from  Sasterno  himself  at  Nice,  it  would 
be  better.  And,  by  the  bye,  he  is  very  anxious 
for  the  appointment  of  consul  for  the  United 
States  at  that  place.  I  knew  his  father  well,  one 
of  the  most  respectable  merchants  and  men  of  the 
place.  I  hear  a  good  character  of  the  son,  who 
has  succeeded  to  his  business.  He  understands 
English  well,  having  passed  some  time  in  a  counting 
house  in  London  for  improvement.  I  believe  we 
have  not  many  vessels  going  to  that  port  annually 
and  yet  as  the  appointment  brings  no  expense  to 
the  United  States,  and  is  sometimes  salutary  to 
our  merchants  and  seamen,  I  see  no  objection  to 
naming  one  there. 

There  is  still  another  wine  to  be  named  to  you, 
which  is  the  wine  of  Florence  called  Montepulctano, 
with  which  Mr.  Appleton  can  best  furnish  you. 
There  is  a  particular  very  best  crop  of  it  known 
to  him  and  which  he  has  usually  sent  to  me.  This 
costs  twenty-five  cents  per  bottle.  He  knows,  too, 
from  experience  how  to  have  it  so  bottled  and 
packed  as  to  ensure  its  bearing  the  passage  which 
in  the  ordinary  way  it  does  not.  I  have  imported 
it  through  him  annually  ten  or  twelve  years  and 
do  not  think  I  have  lost  one  bottle  in  one  hundred. 

I  salute  you  with  all  my  wishes  for  a  prosperous 
and  splendid  voyage  over  the  ocean  on  which  you 
are  embarked,  and  with  sincere  prayers  for  the 
continuance  of  your  life  and  health. 


246  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  JOSEPH  DELAPLAINE. 

Monticello,  April  12,  1817. 

Dear  Sir, — My  repugnance  is  so  invincible  to 
be  saying  anything  of  my  own  history  as  if  worthy 
to  occupy  the  public  attention  that  I  have  suffered 
your  letter  of  March  17,  but  not  received  till  March 
28,  to  lie  thus  long  without  resolution  enough  to 
take  it  up.  I  indulged  myself  at  some  length  on 
a  former  occasion  because  it  was  to  repel  a  calumny 
still  sometimes  repeated  after  the  death  of  its 
numerous  brethren,  by  which  a  party  at  one  time 
thought  they  could  vote  me  down,  deeming  even 
science  itself  as  well  as  my  affection  for  it  a  fit 
object  of  ridicule  and  a  disqualification  for  the 
affairs  of  government.  I  still  think  that  many 
of  the  objects  of  our  inquiry  are  too  minute  for 
public  notice.  The  number  of  names  and  ages  of 
my  children,  grandchildren,  great-grandchildren, 
etc.,  would  produce  fatigue  and  disgust  to  your 
readers  of  which  I  would  be  an  unwilling  instru- 
ment, it  will  certainly  be  enough  to  say  that 
from  one  daughter  living  and  another  deceased,  I 
have  a  numerous  family  of  grandchildren  and  an 
increasing  one  of  great-grandchildren. 

I  was  married  on  New  Year's  day  of  1772,  and 
Mrs.  J.  died  in  the  autumn  of  1782.  I  was  educated 
at  William  and  Mary  College,  in  Williamsburg. 
I  read  Greek,  Latin,  French,  Italian,  Spanish  and 
English  of  course,  with  something  of  its  radics, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  247 


the  Anglo-Saxon.  I  became  a  member  of  the 
legislature  of  Virginia  in  1769  at  the  accession  of 
Lord  Botetourt  to  our  government.  I  could  not 
readily  make  a  statement  of  the  literary  societies 
of  which  I  am  a  member,  they  are  many  and  would 
be  long  to  enumerate  and  would  savor  too  much 
of  vanity  and  pedantry.  Would  it  not  be  better 
to  say  merely  that  I  am  a  member  of  many  literary 
societies  in  Europe  and  America. 

Your  statements  of  the  corrections  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence  by  Dr.  Franklin  and  Mr. 
Adams  are  neither  of  them  at  all  exact.  I  should 
think  it  better  to  say  generally  that  the  rough 
draft  was  communicated  to  those  two  gentlemen, 
who  each  of  them  made  two  or  three  short  and 
verbal  alterations  only,  but  even  this  is  laying 
more  stress  on  mere  composition  than  it  merits, 
for  that  alone  was  mine.  The  sentiments  were  of 
all  America.  I  already  possess  a  portrait  of  Mr. 
Adams,  done  by  our  countryman  Brown  when 
we  were  both  in  England,  and  have  no  occasion, 
therefore,  for  the  copy  you  propose  to  me.  Accept 
my  apologies  for  not  going  more  fully  into  the 
minutiae  of  your  letter.  With  my  friendly  and 
respectful  salutations. 


24§  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  JEAN  BAPTISTE  SAY. 

Monticello,  May  14,  1817. 

Dear  Sir, — Your  letter  of  June  15,  1814,  came 
to  my  hands  on  the  9th  of  December  following, 
and  that  of  August  2 2d  of  the  same  year  was  received 
on  the  nth  of  May,  '15.  In  the  meantime  I  had 
answered  the  former  on  the  2d  of  March  and  had 
gone  fully  into  all  details  in  the  line  of  information 
to  which  your  enquiries  had  led,  stating  every- 
thing on  the  subject  of  prices,  articles  of  culture, 
climate,  society,  etc.,  which  I  thought  would  aid 
your  determination  on  the  question  of  removal. 
This  letter  was  committed  to  the  care  of  a  Mr. 
Ticknor,  a  young  gentleman  of  Boston,  who  was 
on  the  point  of  embarking  for  France;  but  before 
actual  embarkation  peace  taking  place  with  England, 
he  went  first  to  that  country  and  thence  to  Got- 
tingen  where  I  expect  he  has  continued  to  about 
this  time.  How  this  letter  was  conveyed  to  you, 
or  whether  you  ever  received  it,  I  am  uninformed, 
but  a  fear  that  it  might  have  miscarried  has  led 
me  to  this  recapitulation  that  in  that  case  you 
might  know  the  truth  and  be  assured  I  was  incapable 
of  omitting  to  comply  with  your  request  of  informa- 
tion on  points  so  interesting  to  you. 

The  only  changes  since  occurring  as  to  any  par- 
ticulars of  that  information  has  been  in  our  cir- 
culating medium,  which,  from  the  wretched  state 
it  was  then  in  has  become  much  worse  by  the  great 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  249 


increase  of  bank  paper  in  circulation  and  consequent 
advance  of  normal  prices;  and  that  advance  of 
such  uncertainty  as  that  nothing  can  now  be  esti- 
mated in  that  medium.  I  add  this  to  the  information 
formerly  given  on  the  possibility  that  you  may 
still  contemplate  a  removal,  and  can  assure  you 
that  your  arrival  here  would  be  hailed  with  universal 
welcome  and  by  none  with  more  than  by  myself. 

I  rejoice  that  the  book,  of  which  you  were  so 
kind  as  to  send  me  a  copy,  is  becoming  known 
here,  begins  to  be  much  read,  and  really  see  in  that 
circumstance  chiefly  a  prospect,  however  distant, 
that  our  rulers  will  come  in  time  to  understand 
the  subject  and  to  apply  the  remedy  which  is  in 
their  power  only.  A  shorter  work  of  Mr.  Tracy's 
on  the  same  subject  is  in  course  of  publication, 
and  will  co-operate  with  yours  to  the  same  end. 

For  the  conveyance  of  this  letter  I  avail  myself 
of  the  kindness  of  its  bearer,  Mr.  Lyman,  a  young 
gentleman  of  Boston  who  proposes  to  visit  France 
for  his  health.  He  is  not  personally  known  to 
me,  but  is  much  recommended  on  the  part  of  Mr. 
Adams,  former  President  of  the  United  States. 
He  speaks  of  him  as  a  young  man  of  great  worth 
and  promise  and  whose  ardor  in  pursuit  of  science 
has  produced  that  derangement  of  health  which 
occasions  his  visit  to  Europe.  In  proposing  to 
him  to  be  the  bearer  of  a  letter  to  you  he  naturally 
wished  an  introduction  to  a  character  of  such  an 
advantageous  standing  in  the  literary  world,  and 


25°  Jefferson's  Works 


to  place  the  honor  of  being  made  known  to  you 
among  the  rewards  of  his  voyage. 

Be  so  good  then  as  to  receive  him  into  your 
notice,  and  to  indulge  a  desire  on  his  part  produced 
by  motives  of  veneration  for  your  character,  and 
accept  the  assurances  of  my  great  respect  and 
esteem. 


TO  JOSEPH  C.  CABELL. 

Monticello,  October  24,  1S17. 

Dear  Sir, — Yours  of  the  14th  came  to  hand 
two  days  ago.  Soon  after  you  left  us,  I  received 
the  pamphlet  you  were  so  kind  as  to  have  directed 
to  me,  containing  several  papers  on  the  establish- 
ment of  a  system  of  education. 

A  serious  perusal  of  the  bill  for  that  purpose 
convinced  me  that  unless  something  less  extrava- 
gant could  be  devised  the  whole  undertaking  must 
fail.  The  primary  schools  alone  on  that  plan 
would  exhaust  the  whole  funds,  the  colleges  as 
much  more,  and  an  university  would  never  come 
into  question.  However  slow  and  painful  the 
operation  of  writing  is  become  from  a  stiffening 
wrist,  and  however  deadly  my  aversion  to  the 
writing-table,  I  determined  to  try  whether  I  could 
not  contrive  a  plan  more  within  the  compass  of 
our  funds.  I  send  you  the  result  brought  into 
a  single  bill  lest  by  bringing  it  on  by  detachment 
some  of  the  parts  might  be  lost. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  25* 


You  ask  if  we  should  not  associate  with  it  the 
petty  academies  and  colleges  spread  over  the  State 
in  order  to  engage  their  interest  ?  Why  should  we  ? 
For  their  funds  ?  They  have  none.  Scarcely  any  of 
them  have  funds  to  keep  their  buildings  in  repair. 
They  depend  on  what  they  get  from  their  students. 
Aggregated  to  our  regular  system  they  would  make 
it  like  the  image  of  brass  and  clay  substances 
which  never  amalgamate.  They  would  only  em- 
barrass and  render  our  colleges  impracticable.  I 
have  always  found  it  best  never  to  permit  a  rational 
plan  to  be  marred  by  botching.  You  would  lose 
on  the  vote  more  honest  friends  than  you  would 
reconcile  dishonest  enemies,  under  which  term  I 
include  those  who  would  sacrifice  the  public  good 
to  a  local  interest.  However,  take  it  and  make 
of  it  what  you  can  if  worth  anything.  Communicate 
it  also  to  Mr.  Rives  if  you  please.  I  meddle  no 
more  with  it.  There  is  a  time  to  retire  from  labor 
and  that  time  is  come  with  me.  It  is  a  duty,  as 
well  as  the  strongest  of  my  desires,  to  relinquish 
to  younger  hands  the  government  of  our  bark 
and  resign  myself  as  I  do  willingly  to  their  care. 

Our  Central  College  gives  me  more  employ- 
ment than  I  am  equal  to.  The  dilatoriness  of 
the  workmen  gives  me  constant  trouble.  It  has 
already  brought  into  doubt  the  completion  this 
year  of  the  building  begun,  which  obliges  me  to 
be  with  them  every  other  day.  I  follow  it  up 
from  a  sense  of  the  impression  which  will  be  made 


25 2  Jefferson's  Works 


on  the  legislature  by  the  prospect  of  its  immediate 
operation.  The  walls  should  be  done  by  our  next 
court,  but  they  will  not,  by  a  great  deal.  We 
hope  to  see  you  then.  En  attendant,  I  salute  you 
with  friendship  and  respect. 

P.  S.  I  drew  a  plan  of  a  college  in  its  dormitories, 
such  as  the  bill  calls  for,  to  demonstrate  that  it 
will  not  cost  more  than  the  sum  allotted. 


to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
(william  h.  crawford). 

Monticello,  January  5,  1818. 

Dear  Sir, — The  death  of  General  Kosciusko, 
which  I  see  announced  in  the  papers  in  a  form 
leaving  no  doubt  of  its  truth,  makes  it  a  duty 
in  me  to  trouble  you  with  this  letter. 

He  possessed,  as  you  know,  a  considerable  sum 
of  money  in  our  funds.  When  he  left  the  United 
States  in  1790  he  authorized  me,  by  a  power  of 
attorney,  to  superintend  the  transaction  of  his 
business  here  which  has  accordingly  been  done 
through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Barnes,  under  my  direc- 
tion and  sanction.  But  he,  at  the  same  time, 
left  with  me  an  autograph  will  making  an  eleemo- 
sinary  disposition  of  his  property,  of  which  will 
he  named  me  executor.  Some  doubts  arise  in  my 
mind  as  to  the  court  in  which  this  will  must  be 
proved  and  myself  qualified  to  execute  it.    As  it 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        2 53 


is  essential  that  this  should  be  in  a  court  which 
the  government  will  think  of  complete  cognizance 
of  the  case,  to  authorize  their  placing  the  money 
under  the  trust,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  stating 
the  case  to  the  Attorney-General,  who  is  particu- 
larly acquainted  with  our  laws,  by  whose  advice 
and  your  sanction  I  wish  to  be  governed.  The 
hope  that  this  probate  and  qualification  in  our 
state  courts  will  be  sufficient  is  nourished  by  me 
merely  in  consideration  of  the  difficulty  with  which 
I  could  take  a  long  journey. 

Although  General  Kosciusko  in  his  last  letter 
to  me  of  September  15  uses  expressions  which 
show  that  his  purpose  had  not  been  changed,  yet 
I  shall  withhold  proving  the  will  until  I  shall  hear 
particulars  from  the  friends  in  his  confidence  who 
were  probably  about  him  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
and  who  will  doubtless  inform  me  of  the  event 
and  of  any  particulars  which  ought  to  be  known. 

I  pray  you  to  be  assured  of  my  highest  esteem 
and  consideration. 


TO  GENERAL  JOHN  ARMSTRONG. 

Monticello,  January  17,  18 18. 
Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  4th  was  received 
on  the  12th,  General  Kosciusko  on  leaving  the 
United  States  in  1798  left  in  my  hands  an  auto- 
graph will  disposing  of  his  property  in  the  United 
States  to  a  charitable  purpose,  of  which  will  he 


254  Jefferson's  Works 


made  me  executor.  His  residence  under  one 
government,  his  property  in  another  and  his 
executor  in  a  third  induced  me  to  write  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  the  Attorney-General 
of  the  United  States  to  know  where  the  probate 
of  the  will  should  be  to  authorize  their  placing 
the  money  in  the  public  funds  under  its  directions. 
I  expect  their  answer  but  am  not  decided  to  under- 
take the  trust;  its  execution  will  call  for  a  great 
many  minute  and  continued  attentions  and  many 
more  years  to  complete  than  I  have  to  live.  How- 
ever, in  whatever  hands  the  administration  may 
be  I  presume  the  claim  of  your  son  will  meet  with 
no  difficulty  or  delay,  the  money  being  ready 
whenever  an  authority  shall  be  complete  for  receiving 
and  paying  it,  and  of  this  as  soon  as  determined 
I  will  advise  you,  being  happy  in  every  occasion  of 
assuring  you,  of  my  continued  affection  and  respect. 


TO  COUNT  DUGNANI 

(papal  nuncio). 
Monticello,  February  14,  1818. 
My  dear  Cardinal, — In  March,  181 5,  I  took 
the  liberty  of  addressing  a  letter  to  you  by  Dr. 
Barton,  a  member  of  our  Philosophical  Society, 
distinguished  for  his  science,  who  visited  Europe 
for  his  health  and  expected  to  go  as  far  as  Rome. 
I  was  happy  in  the  opportunity  he  furnished  me 
of  presenting  myself  to  your  recollection  and  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  255 


renewing  to  you  the  assurances  of  the  sentiments 
of  friendship  and  respect  engraved  on  my  mind 
during  our  residence  at  Paris,  and  of  their  cordial 
continuance.  But  I  doubt  whether  Dr.  Barton 
reached  Rome,  as  the  aggravation  of  his  malady 
induced  an  early  return  which  was  followed 
immediately  by  his  death. 

A  few  days  ago  I  received  a  letter  from  M. 
Marechal,  Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  in  which  he 
informs  me  that  besides  your  friendly  expressions 
toward  me  on  his  leaving  Paris  some  years  ago, 
you  had  in  a  letter  of  September  last  made  kind 
enquiries  after  myself  and  my  family.  I  feel  a 
pleasure  as  well  as  a  duty  in  answering  these  myself. 
Since  my  retirement  in  1809  from  all  public  duties 
I  have  enjoyed  uninterrupted  good  health  and 
retain  as  much  activity  of  body  and  mind  as, 
at  the  age  of  74,  we  have  a  right  to  expect.  My 
eldest  daughter,  who  had  the  honor  of  being  known 
to  you  in  Paris,  lives  also  and  in  good  health  and 
has  blessed  me  with  many  grandchildren,  and  some 
of  these  have  commenced  another  generation. 

My  last  information  from  yourself  directly  was 
by  the  return  of  two  young  Americans  educated 
at  Rome  who  bore  witness  to  your  friendly  patronage 
of  them,  and  brought  me  from  you  the  two  exquisite 
engravings  of  Belisarius  and  Moncada,  chef  d'oeuvres 
of  that  art,  which,  placed  among  the  ornaments 
of  my  house,  renew  to  me  daily  the  memory  of 
your  friendship. 


256  Jefferson's  Works 


During  the  terrible  revolutions  of  Europe  I  felt 
great  anxiety  for  you,  and  have  never  yet  learnt 
with  certainty  how  far  they  affected  you.  Your 
letter  to  the  Archbishop  being  from  Rome  and  so 
late  as  September  makes  me  hope  that  all  is  well, 
and  thanks  be  to  God  the  tiger  who  revelled  so 
long  in  the  blood  and  spoils  of  Europe  is  at  length, 
like  another  Prometheus,  chained  to  his  rock, 
where  the  vulture  of  remorse  for  his  crimes  will 
be  preying  on  his  vitals  and  in  like  manner  without 
consuming  them.  Having  been,  like  him,  intrusted 
with  the  happiness  of  my  country,  I  feel  the  blessing 
of  resembling  him  in  no  other  point.  I  have  not 
caused  the  death  of  five  or  ten  millions  of  human 
beings,  the  devastation  of  other  countries,  the 
depopulation  of  my  own,  the  exhaustion  of  all 
its  resources,  the  destruction  of  its  liberties,  nor 
its  foreign  subjugation.  All  this  he  has  done  to 
render  more  illustrious  the  atrocities  perpetrated 
for  illustrating  himself  and  his  family  with  plundered 
diadems  and  sceptres.  On  the  contrary,  I  have 
the  consolation  to  reflect  that  during  the  period 
of  my  administration  not  a  drop  of  the  blood  of 
a  single  fellow  citizen  was  shed  by  the  sword  of 
war  or  of  the  law,  and  that  after  cherishing  for 
eight  years  their  peace  and  prosperity  I  laid  down 
their  trust  of  my  own  accord  and  in  the  midst 
of  their  blessings  and  importunities  to  continue  in 
it.  But,  beginning  to  be  sensible  of  the  effect  of 
age,  I  feared  that  its  infirmities  might  injure  their 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        2 57 


interests  and  believed  the  example  would  be  salutary 
against  inveteration  in  office,  and  I  now  enjoy  in 
retirement  the  comfort  of  their  good  will  and  of 
a  conscience  calm  and  without  reproach.  I  have 
thus,  my  dear  Cardinal,  given  you  the  information 
you  have  requested,  and  nothing  but  that  request 
could  have  justified  so  much  egoism.  In  return 
you  cannot  gratify  me  so  much  as  by  saying  as 
much  to  me  of  yourself  in  whose  welfare  I  take 
cordial  interest. 

Before  closing  my  letter  I  will  take  the  liberty 
of  requesting  that  if  Mr.  George  Ticknor,  a  young 
American,  should  be  yet  at  Rome,  as  I  think  is 
possible,  you  will  do  me  the  favor  of  extending 
to  him  your  countenance  and  protection  while 
there.  His  science,  his  talents,  the  worth  and 
correctness  of  his  character,  place  him  among  the 
ornaments  and  the  hopes  of  our  country;  and 
my  particular  friendship  for  him  will  add,  I  trust, 
a  motive  the  more  for  your  notice  of  him.  I 
should  have  given  him  a  letter  to  you  but  that 
having  been  three  years  on  his  travels  through 
Europe  I  could  not  with  certainty  convey  it  to 
him.  He  was  to  pass  this  present  winter  in  Italy 
chiefly  and  at  Rome,  and  I  fear  indeed,  he  may 
have  left  it  before  he  can  receive  this  proof  of  my 
attention  to  him,  or  of  your  friendship  to  me. 
In  every  event,  however,*  accept,  my  dear  Cardinal, 
the  assurance  of  my  constant  and  affectionate 
friendship  and  the  homage  of  my  high  consideration. 

VOL.  XIX — 17 


Jefferson's  Works 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN. 

Monticello,  February  15,  1818. 
Dear  Sir, — I  take  the  liberty  of  putting  under 
the  protection  of  your  cover  a  letter  to  Cardinal 
Dugnani  at  Rome,  in  the  hope  that  through  the 
Nuncio  resident  at  Paris  it  may  find  a  sure  con- 
veyance to  him.  In  return  for  this  trouble  I  wish 
I  could  give  you  any  news  which  would  interest 
you,  but  withdrawn  entirely  from  all  attention 
to  public  affairs,  I  neither  know  nor  enquire  what 
Congress  are  doing.  You  will  probably  know  this 
better  than  myself  from  the  newspapers,  which  I 
have  ceased  to  ^ead  in  a  great  degree.  A  single 
measure  in  my  own  State  has  interested  me  much. 
Our  legislature  some  time  ago  appropriated  a 
fund  of  a  million  and  a  half  dollars  to  a  system 
of  general  education.  After  two  or  three  projects 
proposed  and  put  by  I  ventured  to  offer  one  which, 
although  not  adopted,  is  printed  and  published 
for  general  consideration  to  be  taken  up  at  the  next 
session.  It  provides  an  elementary  school  in  every 
neighborhood  of  fifty  or  sixty  families,  a  college 
for  the  languages,  mensuration,  navigation  and 
geography  within  a  day's  ride  of  every  man's 
house,  and  a  central  university  of  the  sciences 
for  the  whole  State  of  eight,  ten  or  twelve  pro- 
fessors. But  it  has  to  encounter  ignorance,  malice, 
egoism,  fanaticism,  religious,  political  and  local 
perversities. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       2  59 

In  one  piece  of  general  information  which  I  am 
sure  will  give  you  pleasure  I  can  add  mine  to  the 
testimony  of  our  other  correspondents.  Federalism 
is  substantially  defunct.  Opposition  to  the  war, 
the  Hartford  Convention,  the  peace  of  Ghent, 
and  the  battle  of  Orleans,  have  revolted  the  body 
of  the  people  who  called  themselves  federalists 
against  their  leaders,  and  these  have  sunk  into 
insignificance  or  acquiescence  under  the  govern- 
ment. The  most  signal  triumph  is  in  Connecticut 
where  it  was  least  and  last  expected.  As  some  tub, 
however,  must  always  be  thrown  out  to  the  whale, 
and  a  religious  one  is  fittest  to  recall  the  priesthood 
within  their  proper  limits,  the  questions  of  unity 
and  trinity  are  now  set  afloat  in  the  Eastern  States, 
and  are  occupying  there  all  the  vehemence  of  the 
genius  irratabile  ratum.  This  is  food  for  the  fools, 
amusement  to  the  wise  and  quiet  to  the  patriot, 
while  the  light  of  the  age  will  prevent  danger  from 
the  flame  it  kindles.  The  contest,  too,  must  issue  in 
triumph  of  common  sense  over  the  unintelligible 
jargon  of  Gothic  fanaticism.  Ever  and  affection- 
ately yours. 


TO  JACOB  BIGELOW. 

Monticello,  April  II,  1818 
I  thank  you,  Sir,  for  the  comparative  statement 
of  the  climates  of  the  several  States  as  deduced 
from  observations  on  the  flowering  of  trees  in  the 


26o  Jefferson's  Works 


same  year.  It  presents  a  valuable  view  and  one 
which  it  is  much  to  be  desired  could  be  extended 
through  a  longer  period  of  years  and  embrace  a 
greater  number  of  those  circumstances  which 
indicate  climate. 

I  closed  the  year  before  last  a  seven  years'  course 
of  observations  intended  to  characterize  the  climate 
of  this  State,  which  though  very  various  in  its 
various  parts  may  be  considered  as  reduced  to  a 
mean  at  this  place  nearly  central  to  the  whole.  In 
return  for  your  favor  I  transcribe  the  heads  of 
observation  which  I  thought  requisite  and  some  of 
the  general  results  with  the  assurance  of  my  high 
respect  and  esteem. 

1 .  The  greatest  and  least  height  of  the  thermometer  every  day. 

2.  The  greatest,  least  and  mean  height  of  the  thermometer  in  every 
month,  with  the  mean  of  each  year  and  the  mean  of  the  seven  years 
which  last  was  55^°. 

3.  The  minimum  and  maximum  of  the  whole  term,  to  wit:  5$°  and 

4.  The  number  of  freezing  nights  in  a  winter  (50)  and  of  freezing 
days  (10). 

5.  How  long  fires  are  necessary  in  our  apartments,  to  wit:  4  months 
constant,  and  on  evening  and  morning  of  month  before  and  after  that 

time. 

6.  The  earliest  frost  in  autumn  Oct.  7-26,  and  the  latest  in  spring 
Mar.  19- May  1. 

7.  The  earliest  ice  in  autumn  Oct.  24-Nov.  15,  and  latest  in  spring 
Mar.  8-Apr.  10. 

8.  The  quantity  of  water  falling  in  a  year,  average  47.218. 

9.  The  number  of  rains  in  the  year,  89. 

10.  The  number  of  fair  days  average  5  to  the  week. 

11.  The  number  of  snow  22 J  inches  average  covers  the  ground 
22  days. 

12.  The  number  of  days  each  wind  prevailed  through  the  year. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  261 

13.  The  flowering  of  plants,  ripening  of  their  fruit  and  coming  to 
table  of  the  products  of  the  garden,  arrival  of  birds,  insects,  etc. 

14.  The  temperature  of  the  springs  54^°,  the  winter  air  being  at  750. 

15.  The  latitude  of  the  place  of  observation  (Monticello)  370  57' 
5i"-26". 

Extract  from  Number  13: 

The  peach  blossoms  Mar.  9-Apr.  4. 

The  tick  appears  Mar.  15-Apr.  2. 

The  house  martin  Mar.  18-Apr.  9. 

Asparagus  come  to  table  Mar.  23-Apr.  14. 

The  lilac  blooms  Apr.  i-Apr.  28. 

The  red  bud  blooms  Apr.  2-19. 

The  whip-poor-will  is  heard  Apr.  2-21. 

The  dogwood  blossoms  Apr.  3-2  2 . 

The  locust  blossoms  Apr.  25-May  17. 

Garden  pea  comes  to  table  (unforced)  May  3-25. 

Strawberries  ripe  May  3-25. 

Fireflies  appear  May  8. 

Cherries  ripe  May  18-25. 

Wheat  harvest  begins  June  21-29. 

Cucumbers  at  table  (unforced)  June  22-25. 

Peaches  ripe  July  7-2 1 . 

Katydids  or  sawyers  heard  July  14-20. 


Average  of  Every 

Prevalence  of  the 

several  winds 

stated  in  days  of 

Therm. 

Rain. 

year. 

36 

3.66 

Feb  

40 

3-47 

N.  61 

46 

2  .92 

N.  E.  29 

56* 

3-59 

E.  15 

May  

6ii 

5.60 

S.  E.  16 

June  

72 

3-47 

S.  60 

July  

75 

6.56 

S.  W.  66 

Aug  

73 

4.06 

W.  47 

Sept  

67 

5-96 

N.  W.  71 

Oct  

57 

3 -4o 

45* 

2  .92 

365 

Dec  

37 

1.56 

Jefferson's  Works 


TO  CHARLES  JARED  INGERSOLL. 

MONTICELLO,  July  20,  l8l8, 

Sir, — On  my  return  the  day  before  yesterday 
after  a  long  absence  from  this  place,  I  found  here 
your  favor  of  July  4  with  the  two  Chinese  works 
from  Mr.  Wilcox  which  accompanied  it.  I  pray 
you  to  accept  my  thanks  for  the  trouble  you  have 
taken  in  forwarding  them,  and  if  you  are  in  cor- 
respondence with  Mr.  Wilcox  and  should  have 
other  occasion  to  write  to  him  I  must  request  you 
to  express  to  him  my  sense  of  his  kind  attention 
in  sending  me  these  works. 

They  are  real  curiosities  and  give  us  a  better 
idea  of  the  state  of  science  in  China  than  the  relations 
of  travellers  have  effected.  It  is  surely  impossible 
that  they  can  make  much  progress  with  characters 
so  complicated,  so  voluminous  and  inadequate  as 
these  are.  It  must  take  a  life  to  learn  the  char- 
acters only  and  then  their  expression  of  ideas 
must  be  very  imperfect.  I  imagine  that  some 
fortuitous  circumstance  will  some  day  call  their 
attention  to  the  simple  alphabets  of  Europe,  which 
with  proper  improvements  may  be.  made  to  express 
the  sounds  of  their  language  as  well  as  of  others, 
and  that  then  they  may  enter  on  the  field  of  science. 
I  think  missionaries  to  instruct  them  in  our  alpha- 
bets would  be  more  likely  to  take  good  effect  and 
lead  them  to  the  object  of  our  religious  missionaries 
than  an  abrupt  introduction  of  new  doctrines  for 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  263 


which  their  minds  are  in  no  wise  prepared.  With 
my  thanks  be  pleased  to  accept  the  assurance 
of  my  great  esteem  and  respect. 


TO  JOSEPH  MILLIGAN. 

Monticello,  October  25,  1818. 
Sir, — I  now  return  youy  according  to  promise, 
the  translation  of  M.  Destutt  Tracy's  Treatise  on 
Political  Economy,  which  I  have  carefully  revised 
and  corrected.  The  numerous  corrections  of  sense 
in  the  translation  have  necessarily  destroyed 
uniformity  of  style,  so  that  all  I  may  say  on  that 
subject  is  that  the  sense  of  the  author  is  every- 
where now  faithfully  expressed.  It  would  be 
difficult  to  do  justice,  in  any  translation,  to  the 
style  of  the  original,  in  which  no  word  is  unnecessary, 
no  word  can  be  changed  for  the  better,  and  severity 
of  logic  results  in  that  brevity  to  which  we  wish 
all  science  reduced.  The  merit  of  this  work  will, 
1  hope,  place  it  in  the  hands  of  every  reader  in  our 
country.  By  diffusing  sound  principles  of  Political 
Economy,  it  will  protect  the  public  industry  from 
the  parasite  institutions  now  consuming  it,  and 
lead  us  to  that  just  and  regular  distribution  of 
the  public  burdens  from  which  we  have  sometimes 
strayed.  It  goes  forth,  therefore,  with  my  hearty 
prayers  that  while  the  Review  of  Montesquieu, 
by  the  same  author,  is  made  with  us  the  elementary 
book  of  instruction  in  the  principles  of  civil  govern- 


2^4  Jefferson's  Works 


merit,  so  the  present  work  may  be  in  the  particular 
branch  of  Political  Economy. 


TO  NATHANIEL  BOWDITCH. 

Monticello,  October  26,  1818. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have  for  some  time  owed  you  a 
letter  of  thanks  for  your  learned  pamphlet  on 
Dr.  Stewart's  formula  for  obtaining  the  sun's 
distance  from  the  motion  of  the  moon's  apsides, 
a  work,  however,  much  above  my  mathematical 
stature.  This  delay  has  proceeded  from  a  desire 
to  address  you  on  an  interest  much  nearer  home, 
and  on  the  subject  of  which  I  must  make  a  long 
story. 

On  a  private  subscription  of  about  fifty  or  sixty 
thousand  dollars  we  began  the  establishment  of 
what  we  called  the  Central  College,  about  a  mile 
from  the  village  of  Charlottesville  and  four  miles 
from  this  place,  and  have  made  some  progress 
in  the  buildings.  The  legislature  at  their  last 
session  took  up  the  subject  and  passed  an  act 
establishing  an  University,  endowing  it  for  the 
present  with  an  annuity  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars 
and  directing  commissioners  to  meet  to  recommend 
a  site,  a  plan  of  buildings,  the  professorships 
necessary  for  teaching  all  the  branches  of  science 
at  this  day  deemed  useful,  etc. 

The  commissioners  by  a  vote  of  sixteen  for 
the  Central  College,  two  for  a  second  place  and 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  265 


three  for  a  third  adopted  that  for  the  site  of  the 
University.  They  approved  by  an  unanimous  vote 
the  plan  of  building  begun  at  that  place,  and  agreed 
on  such  a  distribution  of  the  sciences  as  it  was 
thought  might  bring  them  all  within  the  com- 
petence of  ten  professors;  and  no  doubt  is  enter- 
tained of  a  confirmation  by  the  legislature  at  their 
meeting  in  December.  The  plan  of  building  is 
not  to  erect  one  single  magnificent  building  to 
contain  everybody,  and  everything,  but  to  make 
of  it  an  academical  village,  in  which  every  pro- 
fessor should  have  his  separate  house,  containing 
his  lecturing  room  with  two,  three  or  four  rooms 
for  his  own  accommodation  according  as  he  may 
have  a  family  or  no  family,  with  kitchen,  garden, 
etc.,  distinct  dormitories  for  the  students,  not 
more  than  two  in  a  room  and  separate  boarding- 
houses  for  dieting  them  by  private  housekeepers. 
We  concluded  to  employ  no  professor  who  is  not 
of  the  first  order  of  the  science  he  professes,  that 
when  we  can  find  such  in  our  own  country  we 
shall  prefer  them  and  when  we  cannot  we  will 
procure  them  wherever  else  to  be  found. 

The  standing  salary  proposed  is  of  one  thousand 
to  fifteen  hundred  dollars  with  twenty-five  dollars 
tuition  fee  from  each  student  attending  any  pro- 
fessor, with  house,  garden,  etc.,  free  of  rent.  We 
believe  that  our  own  State  will  furnish  five 
hundred  students,  and  having  good  information 
that  it  will  be  the  resort  of  all  the  Western  and 


266  Jefferson's  Works 


Southern  States,  we  count  on  as  many  more 
from  them,  when  in  full  operation.  But  as  the 
schools  will  take  time  to  fill,  we  propose  that  until 
the  tuition  fees  with  the  salary  shall  amount  to 
two  thousand  dollars  we  will  make  up  that  deficiency 
so  as  to  ensure  two  thousand  dollars  from  the 
outset. 

The  soil  in  this  part  of  the  country  is  as  fertile 
as  any  upland  soil  in  any  of  the  maritime  States, 
inhabited  fully  by  a  substantial  yeomanry  of 
farmers  (tobacco  long  since  given  up)  and  being 
at  the  first  ridge  of  mountains  there  is  not  a  healthier 
or  more  genial  climate  in  the  world.  Our  maximum 
of  heat  and  that  only  of  one  or  two  days  in  summer 
is  about  96,  the  minimum  in  winter  is  5  J,  but  the 
mean  of  the  months  of  June,  July,  August  is  72, 
75,  73,  and  of  December,  January,  February  is  45, 
36,  40.  The  thermometer  is  below  55  (the  fire 
point)  four  months  in  the  year  and  about  a  month 
before  and  after  that  we  require  fire  in  the  mornings 
and  evenings.  Our  average  of  snow  is  22  inches, 
covering  the  ground  as  many  days  in  the  winter. 
The  necessaries  of  life  are  extremely  cheap,  but  dry- 
goods  and  groceries  excessively  dear,  which  renders 
it  prudent  to  draw  them  directly  from  Philadelphia, 
New  York  or  Boston,  as  they  come  to  our  doors 
by  water.  Our  religions  are  Presbyterian,  Metho- 
dist, Baptist  and  a  few  Anglicans,  a  preacher  of 
some  of  these  sects  officiating  in  Charlottesville 
every  Sabbath.    Our  society  is  neither  scientific 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  267 


nor  splendid,  but  independent,  hospitable,  correct 
and  neighborly.  But  the  professors  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  themselves  compose  a  scientific  society. 
They  will  be  removable  only  by  a  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  Visitors;  and  when  you  are  told  that 
the  Visitors  are  Mr.  Madison,  President  Monroe 
and  myself,  all  known  to  you  by  character;  Senator 
Cabell,  General  Locke,  Mr.  Watson,  gentlemen  of 
distinguished  worth  and  information,  you  will  be 
sensible  that  the  tenure  is  in  fact  for  life. 

Now,  Sir,  for  the  object  of  all  this  detail.  I 
have  stated  that  when  men  of  the  first  order  of 
science  in  their  own  line  can  be  found  in  our  own 
country  we  shall  give  them  a  willing  preference. 
We  are  satisfied  that  we  can  get  from  no  country 
a  professor  of  higher  qualifications  than  yourself 
for  our  mathematical  department  and  we  entertain 
the  hope  and  with  great  anxiety  that  you  will 
accept  of  it.  The  house  for  that  professorship 
will  be  ready  at  midsummer  next  or  soon  after, 
when  we  should  wish  that  school  to  be  opened. 
I  know  the  prejudices  of  every  State  against  the 
climates  of  all  those  States  south  of  itself,  but  I 
know  also  that  the  candid  traveller  advancing 
southwardly,  to  a  certain  degree  at  least,  sees 
that  the  real  advantages  of  climate  are  in  the 
middle  and  temperate  States,  and  especially  when 
above  their  tide- waters. 

I  must  add  that  all  this  is  written  on  the  hypo- 
thesis that  the  legislature  will  confirm  the  report 


268  Jefferson's  Works 


of  the  commissioners.  But  that  is  undoubted, 
and  therefore  I  make  this  early  application  to 
pray  you  to  take  this  proposition  into  consideration 
and  as  soon  as  you  can  settle  your  mind  on  it, 
to  favor  me  with  a  line  on  the  subject,  shortening 
my  anxiety  for  its  reception  only  according  to 
your  convenience.  In  the  meantime  accept  the 
assurance  of  my  great  esteem  and  respect. 


TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Monticello,  November  23,  1818. 

The  hand  of  age,  my  dear  friend,  has  been  pressing 
heavily  on  me  for  the  few  last  years  and  has  rendered 
me  unequal  to  the  punctualities  of  correspondence. 
My  health,  too,  is  lately  very  much  broken  down 
by  an  illness  of  three  months  from  which  I  am 
but  now  on  the  recovery.  If,  therefore,  I  am 
slack  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  much 
valued  letters,  goodness  will  ascribe  it  to  its  true 
causes,  declining  age  and  health. 

I  learn  with  great  pleasure  that  your  country  will 
have  in  the  end  a  good  degree  of  freedom  by  a 
proper  attemporament  of  limited  monarchy  with 
representative  ingredients;  indeed  that  you  have 
already  such  a  government,  for  as  far  as  I  under- 
stand your  present  constitution,  it  has  more  of 
popular  independence  and  integrity  in  it  than  the 
boasted  one  of  England,  and  what  it  still  wants, 
time  and  the  advance  of  light,  will  bring  probably 


♦ 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  269 

as  fast  as  the  people  can  be  prepared  for  it.  This  I 
hope  will  be  waited  for  without  risking  new  convul- 
sions. 

Here  all  is  well.  Our  government  is  now  so 
firmly  put  on  its  republican  tack  that  it  will  not 
be  easily  monarchised  by  forms.  You  have  made 
a  mighty  noise  in  Europe  about  our  taking  posses- 
sion of  some  posts  in  Florida.  The  President's 
message  delivered  a  few  days  ago  will  set  you 
right  on  that  subject,  and  show  that  no  wrong 
was  contemplated  for  a  single  moment.  And  what 
shows  an  honorable  and  comfortable  trait  in  our 
nation  was  the  universal  uproar  of  our  own  people 
in  the  first  moment  of  the  apparent  aggression 
and  until  they  saw  that  their  government  had 
no  such  thing  in  view.  I  was  delighted  with  this 
proof  of  moral  principle  in  our  citizens  as  to  the 
conduct  of  their  foreign  relations  and  considered  it 
as  a  pledge  that  they  would  never  as  a  nation 
approve  of  any  measure  swerving  from  justice 

Mr.  Poirey  has  plausible  ground  for  supposing 
I  have  been  inattentive  to  the  claim  for  compen- 
sation for  his  services  during  the  Revolution,  which 
he  committed  to  my  care,  but  I  am  without  blame 
on  this  score.  Just  as  I  received  his  papers  the 
then  Secretary  of  War  retired  from  office.  I 
knew  it  would  be  worse  than  useless  during  the 
vacancy  to  commit  to  a  chef  de  bureau  a  business 
which  he  would  not  have  weight  nor  confidence 
enough  to  act  in  with  effect.    The  vacancy  con- 


*7°  Jefferson's  Works 


tinued  unfilled  nearly  a  twelvemonth.  As  soon 
as  a  Secretary  was  appointed  I  placed  the  case 
and  papers  under  his  consideration.  The  enclosed 
letter  from  him  will  show  its  present  state  and 
prospects,  and  I  now  write  to  him  to  secure  his 
early  attention  to  it  during  the  present  session; 
being  now  entirely  unequal  to  the  labors  of  the 
writing-table  I  must  request  Mr.  Poirey  to  consider 
my  intermediate  silence  as  saying  that  nothing 
is  yet  done,  on  the  assurance  that  the  moment 
that  anything  definite  takes  place  I  will  give  him 
notice  of  it.  I  am  rendered  very  happy  by  being 
able  at  length  to  send  M.  Tracy  a  copy  of  the 
translation  of  his  book  on  political  economy,  the 
publication  of  which  is  at  length  accomplished. 
The  delay  has  been  scandalous  and  to  me  most 
vexatious.  But  I  am  fully  repaid  by  the  good 
the  publication  will  render  to  our  country.  God 
bless  you  and  preserve  you  and  yours  in  health  and 
happiness  as  long  as  you  shall  desire  it  yourselves. 


TO  HENRY  DEARBORN. 

MONTICELLO,  July  5,  1819. 

Dear  Sir, — I  received  yesterday  your  favor  of 
June  24,  and  am  very  sensible  of  the  interest  you 
so  kindly  take  in  my  health.  The  eruptive  com- 
plaint which  came  upon  me  in  August  last  was 
unquestionably  produced  by  the  bath  of  the  warm 
springs  which  I  tried  on  account  of  rheumatism. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  27J 

The  cause  of  the  eruption  was  mistaken  and  it 
was  treated  with  severe  unctions  of  mercury  and 
sulphur.  These  reduced  me  to  death's  door  and 
on  ceasing  to  use  them  I  recovered  immediately 
and  consider  my  health  as  now  perfectly  re-estab- 
lished except  some  small  effect  on  the  bowels 
produced  by  these  remedies  and  nearly  not  entirely 
worn  off.  I  am  still  thankful  for  your  receipt, 
and  should  the  eruption  return  I  shall  certainly 
try  its  effect  in  preference  to  those  before  tried. 

With  respect  to  Mr.  Stuart,  it  was  in  May,  1800, 
I  got  him  to  draw  my  picture  and  immediately 
after  the  last  sitting  I  paid  him  his  price,  one 
hundred  dollars.  He  was  yet  to  put  the  last  hand 
on  it,  so  it  was  left  with  him.  When  he  came  to 
Washington  in  1805  he  told  me  he  was  not  satisfied 
with  it,  and  therefore  begged  me  to  sit  again,  and 
he  drew  another  which  he  was  to  deliver  me  instead 
of  the  first,  but  begged  permission  to  keep  it  until 
he  could  get  an  engraving  from  it.  I  soon  after 
got  him  to  sketch  me  in  the  medallion  form,  which  he 
did  on  paper  with  crayons.  Although  a  slight  thing 
I  gave  him  another  hundred  dollars,  probably  the 
treble  of  what  he  would  have  asked.  This  I  have; 
it  is  a  very  fine  thing,  although  very  perishable. 

I  cannot  say  I  am  anxious  about  the  Spanish 
treaty;  in  giving  up  the  province  of  Texas,  we  gave 
up  a  sugar  country  sufficient  for  the  supply  of 
the  United  States.  I  would  rather  keep  that  and 
trust  to  the  inevitable  falling  of  Florida  into  our 


272  Jefferson's  Works 


mouths.  It  is  true,  however,  that  present  peace 
is  secured  by  the  exchange;  and  on  the  general 
separation  of  the  Spanish  colonies  which  is  to 
take  place,  Cuba  will  join  us  and  give  us  sugar. 
The  crush  of  our  gambling  adventurers  who  call 
themselves  merchants,  but  who  never  owning  a 
dollar  were  playing  doubles  or  quit  with  money 
of  others,  will  be  a  good  in  the  end  by  restoring 
commerce  to  its  true  measure;  that  is  to  say,  just 
so  much  as  will  take  off  our  surplus  produce  and 
exchange  it  for  what  we  want.  It  is  better  for 
us  to  let  other  nations  carry  on  their  commerce 
and  meet  the  wars  it  always  produces.  What 
is  unfortunate  in  the  present  crisis  is  the  danger 
of  its  shattering  the  merchant  of  real  capital,  and 
the  country  people,  many  of  whom  will  be  heavily 
affected;  some  legislative  provision  to  save  them 
and  let  the  crisis  wear  off  by  degrees  may  be  salutary. 

I  am  not  afraid  of  a  war  with  England;  the  eyes 
of  that  government  are  opened  as  to  us,  and  the 
inveteracy  of  their  people  is  softening.  It  is  our 
interest  to  meet  them  in  friendship  if  they  will 
treat  us  with  justice  and  respect.  If  we  can  avoid 
war  with  that  nation  we  need  never  have  it  with 
any  other,  for  the  separation  of  Spain  from  her 
colonies  removes  all  ground  of  war  with  her.  Our 
family  joins  in  testimonies  of  attachment  and 
kind  remembrances  to  Mrs.  Dearborn  and  your- 
self, and  mine  is  what  it  ever  was  and  will  be,  most 
affectionate  and  sincere. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  273 


TO  ELIJAH  GRIFFITH. 

Monticello,  May  15,  1820. 
Dear  Sir, — I  received  in  due  time  your  favor 
of  April  7  and  it  renewed  pleasing  recollections 
of  our  former  acquaintance,  and  of  my  sense  of 
your  worth  which  the  lapse  of  twenty  years  has 
not  obliterated.  For  some  time  after  my  retire- 
ment from  public  affairs  I  yielded  to  the  requests 
of  others  to  solicit  for  them  appointments  under 
the  general  government;  these,  however,  became 
so  numerous  and  burdensome  as  to  keep  me  con- 
tinually in  the  humble  and  painful  attitude  of  a 
supplicant  at  the  feet  of  the  government.  Against 
this  humiliation  I  was  obliged  to  revolt  and  to 
come  to  a  resolution  to  decline  further  interpositions, 
from  the  observance  of  which  I  have  found  ease, 
comfort  and  independence.  But  from  a  wish  to 
be  useful  to  you  I  reserved  your  letter  and  kept 
on  the  watch  to  see  if  the  bankrupt  law  should 
pass,  with  a  view  to  serve  you  through  an  indirect 
channel;  but  the  bill  having  failed,  the  occasion 
has  not  occurred  of  rendering  you  the  service 
requested. 

The  distresses  you  describe  in  your  section  of 
the  Union  have  been  bitterly  felt  here.  They 
are  not  greater  than  I  had  always  expected  and 
freely  expressed  in  the  creation  of  the  first  bank 
by  the  new  government.  Mr.  Madison  and  myself 
left  nothing  untried  to  obtain  General  Washington's 

VOL.    XIX  18 


274  Jefferson's  Works 


negative  to  the  law,  but  after  a  long  struggle  in 
his  mind  Hamilton  prevailed  in  the  last  hour  and 
let  in  this  torrent  of  swindling  institutions  which 
have  spread  ruin  and  wretchedness  over  the  face 
of  our  country.  And  what  is  the  most  disheartening 
it  has  still  left  such  a  hankering  after  these  allusive 
establishments  that  no  hope  remains  of  their  pro- 
scription in  future.  Their  fatal  effect  has  been 
greatly  aggravated  in  this  State  by  an  unexampled 
drought  which,  having  prevailed  from  June  last  to 
this  time,  destroyed  the  bread  of  that  year  and 
threatens  that  of  the  present.  I  greet  with  good- 
will my  declining  health  which  promises  to  relieve 
me  from  witnessing  the  resuscitation  of  this  evil 
and  still  more  threatening  political  calamities,  and 
I  salute  you  with  constant  esteem  and  respect. 


TO  JAMES  MONROE. 

MONTICELLO,  AugUSt   13,  1821. 

Dear  Sir, — You  have  seen  announced  in  several 
of  our  papers  an  intention  of  the  Polonese  nation 
to  erect  a  monument  near  Cracow  to  the  memory 
of  General  Kosciusko,  and  their  wish  that  England 
and  the  United  States,  by  joining  in  contributions, 
might  give  a  proof  of  the  interest  they  take  in 
his  character;  that  for  this  purpose  they  had 
addressed  a  letter  to  Lord  Holland  in  England 
and  to  myself  in  the  United  States. 

I  received  in  fact  such  a  letter  some  weeks  ago 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       2 75 


from  the  President  of  the  Seriate  of  Cracow,  with 
an  indication  that  it  should  be  communicated  to 
you  also.  Much  at  a  loss  to  devise  in  what  way 
I  could  get  about  the  execution  of  this  proposition 
I  have  held  the  subject  for  some  time  under  con- 
sideration. Retired  as  I  am  among  the  mountains 
of  our  interior  country  I  see  nobody  but  the  farmers 
of  my  neighborhood,  who  would  consider  contri- 
butions to  public  monuments  in  other  countries 
as  very  foreign  to  the  conditions  of  their  lives. 
I  have  been  so  long  withdrawn,  too,  from  inter- 
course with  the  world  that  I  no  longer  know  who 
of  Kosciusko's  fellow-soldiers  are  now  living,  as 
from  them  we  might  expect  the  most  zealous 
co-operation  in  rendering  this  last  testimony  of 
respect  to  him;  and  above  all  other  considerations 
the  heavy  hand  of  age  paralyzing  the  faculties 
both  of  body  and  mind  have  rendered  me  quite 
unequal  to  the  correspondence  it  might  require, 
and  unfit  to  become  the  centre  of  such  an  operation. 
Independent  of  the  express  intimation  to  communi- 
cate the  paper  to  you,  I  should  of  myself  have 
turned  my  views  first  to  you  as  the  friend  of  his 
fame,  and  aid  of  my  age;  and  because  should 
any  communications  with  Lord  Holland  be  expe- 
dient, your  acquaintance  with  him  would  open 
the  door  to  them. 

Notwithstanding,  therefore,  the  burdens  of  business 
which  your  office  imposes  on  you,  I  have  hoped 
that  in  your  position  you  could  put  the  thing  into 


276  Jefferson's  Works 


an  organized  course  with  little  trouble.  You  know 
who  remain  of  his  former  companions  in  arms 
and  where  to  be  found.  You  could  probably  think 
of  some  person  in  each  State  and  great  city  who 
would  undertake  with  zeal  the  necessary  solicitations 
and  you  could  command  attentions  which  would  not 
be  yielded  to  me.  The  trouble  of  drawing  a  circular 
which  the  scribes  by  whom  you  are  surrounded 
would  multiply,  would,  I  hope,  be  the  principal 
labor  imposed  on  you,  for  I  presume  the  contri- 
butions should  be  deposited  in  convenient  banks 
from  whence  they  could  be  easily  brought  together 
for  remittance,  or  (which  is  very  possible  under 
present  distresses)  should  their  amount  fall  short 
of  what  might  be  deemed  worthy  of  acceptance, 
they  could  be  readily  restored  to  the  contributors, 
and  an  apology  to  the  Senate  of  Cracow  be  given 
on  reasonable  ground.  I  suggest  this  course  by 
way  of  example  only,  for  you  may  probably  devise 
some  other  more  practicable  and  promising. 

I  enclose  you  the  papers  sent  to  me,  and  knowing 
the  labors  of  reading  to  which  you  are  subjected 
I  would  point  out  to  you  the  letter  of  the  President 
and  the  Proclamation  of  the  Senate  No.  1,  as  the 
material  papers  for  explaining  to  you  their  wishes 
and  expectations. 

I  hope  you  will  excuse  this  trespass  of  age  leaning 
on  younger  shoulders  to  relieve  itself  from  a  burden 
to  which  it  is  unequal.  From  such  a  one  I  never 
shrunk  while  I  had  force  to  encounter  it.    In  all 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  277 


events  be  assured  of  my  constant  and  affectionate 
friendship  and  respect. 


TO  LEVETT  HARRIS. 

Monticello,  December  12,  182 1. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have  to  return  you  thanks  for 
Mr.  Adelung's  view  of  the  languages  of  the  earth, 
and  to  pray  you  to  make  them  acceptable  to  him 
also  for  this  mark  of  his  attention.  It  is  a  work 
of  vast  learning  and  unparalleled  application.  It 
seems  to  present  a  summary  of  the  great  vocabulary 
of  which  I  had  a  copy  through  your  agency  and 
kindness. 

I  am  sorry  we  lost  the  pleasure  of  your  visit 
at  the  time  you  had  first  proposed.  But  we  find 
comfort  in  the  French  adage  "  tout  ce  qui  est  differe 
n'est  pas  perdu."  No  visit  will  be  welcomer  when 
convenient  to  yourself  to  make  it. 

I  am  afraid  our  quondam  favorite  Alexander 
has  swerved  from  the  true  faith.  His  becoming 
an  accomplice  of  the  soi-disant  Holy  Alliance,  the 
anti-national  principles  he  has  separately  avowed, 
and  his  becoming  the  very  leader  of  a  combination 
to  chain  mankind  down  eternally  to  oppressions 
of  the  most  barbarous  ages,  are  clouds  on  his  char- 
acter not  easily  to  be  cleared  away.  But  these 
are  problems  for  younger  heads  than  mine.  You 
will  see  their  solution  and  tell  me  of  it  in  another 
world.    I  salute  you  with  great  friendship  and  respect. 


278  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 

Monticello,  July  1 8,  1824. 
Dear  Sir,— I  have  safely  received  the  two  copies 
of  the  fac-simile  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
which  you  have  been  so  kind  as  send  me  under 
a  resolution  of  Congress.  With  a  deep  sense  of 
respect  for  this  mark  of  attention  to  myself  I  con- 
template with  pleasure  the  evidence  afforded  of 
reverence  for  that  instrument,  and  view  in  it  a 
pledge  of  adhesion  to  its  principles  and  of  a  sacred 
determination  to  maintain  and  perpetuate  them. 
As  toward  this  holy  purpose  no  one  has  it  more 
in  his  power  to  contribute  with  effect  than  your- 
self, so  I  am  equally  happy  in  the  confidence  that 
none  will  do  it  with  more  zeal  and  fidelity,  and  I 
pray  you  to  accept  the  assurance  of  my  great 
esteem  and  respectful  consideration. 


TO  JAMES  MADISON. 

Monticello,  September  24,  1824. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have  got  through  my  catalogue 
except  the  alphabet  and  send  you  a  result.  The 
inclosed  table  shows  the  number,  size  and  cost 
of  the  whole  and  its  parts.  6860  volumes  will 
cost  twenty-four  thousand  and  seventy-six  dollars 
or  three  and  one-half  dollars  a  volume  on  an  average 
of  all  sizes.  If  we  get  our  fifty  thousand  dollars 
and  also  if  ten  thousand  would  do  for  apparatus, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        2 79 


there  would  remain  sixteen  thousand  to  invest 
in  stock.  This  would  give  us  a  thousand  dollars 
a  year  forever,  which  beginning  with  such  a  nucleus 
as  this  would  make  and  keep  our  library  what  it 
should  be.  Charlottesville  is  preparing  for  Lafayette. 
As  he  will  see  you  at  your  own  house  we  shall  hope 
you  will  come  here  with  him.  But  in  the  meantime 
you  will  be  with  us  as  a  visitor  a  day  or  so  before 
the  4th.    Affectionately  yours. 


TO  MESSRS.  ADAMS,   FITZUHUYLSON  AND 
BROCKENBROUGH. 

Monticello,  October  18,  1824. 
I  have  duly  received  the  favor  of  your  invitation 
of  the  12th  instant  to  join  you  on  the  interesting 
occasion  of  the  reception  of  Major-General  Lafayette 
in  testifying  the  veneration  of  the  citizens  of  Rich- 
mond for  his  character,  their  sense  of  his  services 
and  their  affection  for  his  person.  No  one  would 
harmonize  in  all  these  sentiments  more  cordially 
than  myself,  no  one  perhaps  having  had  so  pro- 
tracted and  multiplied  proofs  not  only  in  the  war, 
but  the  peace  which  followed  it,  of  his  zealous 
attachment  to  the  service  of  our  country.  But  at 
the  age  and  under  the  infirmities  of  eighty-one, 
I  am  no  longer  equal  to  such  a  journey  nor  able 
to  avail  myself  of  occasions  so  distant  of  joining  in 
the  just  expressions  of  the  gratitude  of  my  fellow- 
citizens  to  this  early  friend  and  benefactor.  I 


280  Jetferson's  Works 


flatter  myself  with  being  indemnified  by  the  oppor- 
tunity he  will  give  to  myself  and  my  neighbors 
of  manifesting  here  our  sense  of  the  services  he 
rendered  our  portion  of  the  country  particularly, 
and  our  participation  in  the  general  joy  which  his 
visit  has  inspired  in  every  breast. 

Declining  this  kind  invitation,  therefore,  as  I 
must  from  necessity,  I  beg  leave  to  say  that  my 
respect  for  yourselves  and  the  citizens  of  Richmond 
would  have  been  a  great  additional  inducement 
for  my  acceptance  of  it.  A  serious  indisposition 
of  some  continuance  obliges  me  to  borrow  the  pen 
of  another  to  convey  to  yourselves  and  the  citizens 
of  Richmond  these  my  thanks  and  regrets,  and 
the  assurance  of  my  high  consideration. 


TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Monticello,  January  16,  1825. 
My  dear  Friend, — I  have  never  been  more 
gratified  by  the  reading  of  a  book  than  by  that 
of  Flourens  which  you  were  so  kind  as  to  send  me. 
Cabanis  had  gone  far  toward  proving  from  the 
anatomical  structure  of  and  action  of  the  human 
machine  that  certain  parts  of  it  were  probably 
the  organs  of  thought  and  consequently  that  matter 
might  exercise  that  faculty.  Flourens  proves  that 
it  does  exercise  it  and  that  deprived  of  the  cerebrum 
particularly  the  animal  loses  all  sense,  all  intellect 
and  memory,  yet  lives  in  health  and  for  indefinite 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  281 

terms.  It  will  be  curious  to  see  what  the  imma- 
terialists  will  oppose  to  this. 

I  congratulate  you  on  the  testimony  of  gratitude 
you  have  lately  received  from  Congress,  and  that 
it  was  with  scarcely  a  shadow  of  opposition.  The 
relief  from  your  debts  will  give  you  nights  of  sound 
sleep  and  the  surplus  I  hope  days  of  ease  and  com- 
fort through  the  rest  of  your  life.  You  will  have 
where  you  are  better  advice  than  I  can  give  you 
on  the  question  whether  it  will  not  be  advisable 
to  keep  the  stock  in  your  own  hands  and  in  its 
original  form.  There  can  be  no  safer  deposit  on 
earth  than  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States. 

You  know  how  much  I  have  at  heart  the  success 
of  our  university.  Its  opening  now  awaits  only 
the  arrival  of  three  professors  engaged  in  England 
who  were  to  have  sailed  in  October  or  November 
last,  but  of  whose  actual  sailing  we  have  not  yet 
heard.  Still  we  hourly  expect  them  and  in  the 
moment  of  their  arrival  shall  announce  the  opening 
of  the  University.  I  count  on  its  changing  the 
condition  and  character  of  our  State  in  the  course 
of  a  very  few  years.  That  health,  happiness  and  the 
love  of  all  may  ever  attend  you  is  the  constant 
prayer  of  your  faithful  and  affectionate  friend. 


282 


Jefferson's  Works 


TO  WILLIAM  H.  CRAWFORD. 

Moxticello,  February  15,  1825. 
Dear  Sir. — Your  two  letters  of  January  31 
and  February  4  were  received  in  due  time.  With 
the  former  came  safely  the  seed  from  Mr.  Appleton 
which  I  commit  to  the  Agricultural  Society  of 
our  county,  of  which  Mr.  Madison  is  president. 
Of  the  talents  and  qualifications  of  Dr.  Jackson 
as  a  professor  in  the  branches  of  science  specified 
in  your  last  letter  your  recommendation  would 
have  had  great  weight  in  our  estimation,  but  our 
professors  are  all  designated  so  that  we  have  no 
vacancy  in  which  we  can  avail  ourselves  of  his 
services. 

I  had  kept  back  my  acknowledgment  of  these 
in  the  hope  I  might  have  added  in  it  congratu- 
lations which  would  have  been  cordially  offered. 
I  learnt  yesterday,  however,  that  events  had  not 
been  what  we  had  wished.  The  disappointment 
will  be  deeply  felt  by  our  State  generally,  and  by 
no  one  in  it  more  seriously  than  by  myself.  I 
confess  that  what  we  have  seen  in  the  course  of 
this  election  has  very  much  damped  the  confidence 
I  had  hitherto  reposed  in  the  discretion  of  my 
fellow  citizens.  The  ignorance  of  character,  the 
personal  partialities  and  the  inattention  to  those 
questions  which  ought  to  have  guided  their  choice, 
augur  ill  of  the  wisdom  of  our  future  course. 
Looking,  too.  to  Congress  my  hopes  are  not  strength- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  283 


ened.  A  decided  majority  seem  to  measure  their 
powers  only  by  what  they  may  think  or  pretend 
to  think  for  the  general  welfare  of  the  States. 
All  limitations,  therefore,  are  prostrated  and  con- 
solidation the  general  welfare  in  name  but  not 
in  effect  is  now  the  principle  of  every  department 
of  the  government.  I  have  not  long  to  witness 
this,  but  it  adds  another  to  the  motives  by  which 
the  decays  of  nature  so  finely  prepare  us  for 
welcoming  the  hour  of  exit  from  this  state  of 
being. 

Be  assured  that  in  your  retirement  you  will 
carry  with  you  my  entire  confidence  and  sincere 
prayers  for  your  health,  happiness  and  prosperity. 


TO  EDWARD  EVERETT. 

MONTICELLO,  July  21,   1 82 5. 

Dear  Sir. — I  thank  you  for  the  copies  of  your 
two  public  addresses  inclosed  in  your  favor  of 
the  6th  instant;  that  of  Concord,  as  a  morsel  of 
(exeut?)  history  and  of  a  most  interesting  event, 
was  peculiarly  acceptable.  I  am  sorry  it  is  not 
in  my  power  to  give  you  any  information  on  the 
subject  of  the  Louisiana  treaty.  My  memory  is 
gone  and  I  have  no  papers  on  the  subject.  But 
surely  the  " Conjectural  note"  you  mention  as 
annexed  to  the  Convention  must  still  remain 
annexed  and  preserved  in  the  Secretary  of  State's 


2g4  Jefferson's  Works 


office.  Colonel  Monroe,  too,  must  be  able  to  give 
some  account  of  it,  and  other  resources  of  infor- 
mation will  open  on  you  when  you  come  on  to 
Congress.  The  report  of  the  commissioners,  Mercer, 
McClure  and  (I  believe)  Warden,  will  unquestionably 
be  in  that  or  the  treasury  office. 

I  knew  the  range  of  your  mind  too  well  ever 
to  have  supposed  for  a  moment  you  could  view 
but  with  contempt  the  miserable  sneers  on  our 
seeking  abroad  some  of  the  professors  for  our 
University.  Had  I  thought  them  worth  notice 
I  should  have  asked  of  those  wits  and  censors  these 
questions  only.  The  seminaries  of  the  United  States 
being  all  of  them  first  served  for  the  choice  of 
the  talents  of  our  own  country,  were  we  to  take  the 
refuse  and  place  ourselves  thus  at  the  fag  end  of 
the  whole  line  ?  Would  it  have  been  either  patriotism 
or  fidelity  in  us  to  have  sunk  the  youth  of  our 
State  to  a  half -lettered  grade  of  education  by  com- 
mitting them  to  inferior  instruction  and  rejecting 
that  of  the  first  order  merely  because  offered  from 
without  the  limits  of  our  own  Union,  and  the  mass 
of  science  among  us  still  further  reduced  by  the 
refusal  of  many  eminent  characters  to  accept 
academical  instructions,  and  is  this  the  way  to 
advance  the  American  character?  We  thought 
otherwise  and  as  yet  believe  we  have  reason  to  be 
satisfied  with  the  course  we  have  pursued.  I  hope 
the  only  rivalship  with  our  elder  sisters  will  be 
in  honorable  efforts  to  do  the  most  good  possible. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  285 


I  am  happy  in  the  expectation  which  your  letter 
authorizes  that  you  will  think  our  institution 
worthy  of  a  visit  and  I  shall  even  hope  from  your 
experience  and  kindness  to  receive  suggestions  for 
its  further  improvement  than  which  none  would 
be  more  respected  by  me.  I  beg  you  to  be  assured 
also  that  no  visit  will  be  received  with  more  wel- 
come than  yours. 

I  am  truly  gratified  by  the  flattering  anticipations 
you  express  of  the  society  of  my  granddaughter 
now  arriving  at  Boston,  and  hope  you  will  not 
be  disappointed  in  this.  She  is  so  deeply  seated 
in  my  affections  that  a  kindness  to  her  counts 
tenfold  with  me.  I  think  her  most  fortunate,  too, 
in  the  person  to  whom  we  have  committed  her 
happiness.  I  have  not  been  acquainted  with  a 
finer  character  than  Mr.  Coolidge,  more  amiable, 
more  respectable  or  more  worthy;  and  (destined?) 
to  relinquish  her  native  home  we  are  thankful 
it  was  in  exchange  for  the  favorite  seat  of  hospi- 
tality and  science. 


TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

MONTICELLO,  AugUSt  8,    1 82  5. 

My  dear  Friend, — Mr.  Rebello  of  Brazil,  who 
has  rendered  us  an  agreeable  visit,  tells  me  you 
will  be  in  Washington  on  the  ioth,  and  that  we 
may  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here 
very  soon  after  that;  this  we  shall  ever  do  with 


286  Jefferson's  Works 


heartfelt  welcome.  I  am  not  well,  but  it  is  a  local 
complaint  which  confines  me  to  the  house  indeed, 
but  in  tolerable  health  otherwise  and  I  shall  be 
much  the  better  for  your  presence  which  will  be 
my  best  medicine,  only  unable  to  make  excursions 
with  you.  Not  knowing  where  the  enclosed  letter 
would  find  Miss  Wright,  I  take  the  liberty  of  giving 
it  the  benefit  of  your  cover  and  of  requesting  you 
to  superscribe  its  address  and  to  dispose  of  it  so 
that  she  may  get  it  as  early  as  practicable.  In  the 
hope  of  seeing  you  within  a  few  days  and  your 
companions  for  whom  I  here  place  my  respects,  I 
repeat  the  assurances  of  my  affectionate  and  con- 
stant friendship  and  attachment. 


TO  JAMES  MADISON. 

Monticello,  October  18,  1825. 
Everything  is  going  on  smoothly  at  the  Uni- 
versity. The  students  are  attending  to  their  schools 
with  more  assiduity  and  looking  to  their  professors 
with  more  respect.  The  authority  of  the  latter 
is  visibly  strengthened  as  is  the  confidence  of 
those  who  visit  the  place,  and  the  effect  on  the 
whole  has  been  salutary.  The  professors  are  all 
lecturing;  the  two  Cantabs,  somewhat  in  the  pouts, 
however,  are  reserved.  I  sent  a  copy  of  the  new 
enactments  the  other  day  with  a  request  they  might 
be  read  to  the  schools  for  promulgation.  The 
other  professors  did  it,  these  did  not  nor  said  why. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  2&7 

My  rides  to  the  University  have  brought  on  me 
great  sufferings,  reducing  my  intervals  of  ease 
from  forty-five  to  twenty  minutes.  This  is  a  good 
index  of  the  changes  which  take  place. 

I  was  taken  in  by  Mr.  Browere.  He  said  his 
operation  would  be  of  about  twenty  minutes,  and 
less  unpleasant  than  Houdon's  method.  I  submitted 
without  enquiry.  But  it  was  a  bold  experiment  on 
his  part  on  the  health  of  an  octogenary  worn  down 
by  sickness  as  well  as  age.  Successive  coats  of 
grout  plastered  on  the  naked  head  and  kept  there 
an  hour  would  have  been  a  severe  trial  of  a  young 
and  hale  man.  He  suffered  the  plaster  also  to 
get  so  dry  that  separation  became  difficult  and 
even  dangerous.  He  was  obliged  to  use  freely 
the  mallet  and  chisel  to  break  it  into  pieces  and 
get  off  a  piece  at  a  time.  These  strokes  of  the 
mallet  would  have  been  sensible  almost  to  a  logger- 
head. The  family  became  alarmed  and  he  confused 
till  I  was  quite  exhausted,  and  there  became  real 
danger  that  the  ears  would  tear  from  the  head 
sooner  than  from  the  plaster.  I  now  bid  adieu 
for  ever  to  busts  and  even  portraits.  I  do  not 
know  whether  you  are  acquainted  with  Colonel 
Peyton  of  Richmond,  as  honest  and  worthy  a  man 
as  lives,  and  the  most  punctual  in  business.  He 
understands  that  Lay,  your  correspondent  there, 
is  become  bankrupt,  and  would  gladly  serve  you 
there.  He  has  been  mine  ten  or  a  dozen  years 
and  I  never  had  one  who  would  lend  himself  even 


288 


Jefferson's  Works 


in  the  smallest  things  so  kindly  and  zealously. 
He  has  all  the  business  of  this  neighborhood  and 
the  Staunton  county.  I  know  that  these  con- 
nections are  dictated  often  by  very  special  and 
personal  considerations  and  my  mention  of  him  is 
only  ut  vale  at  quantum  valere  debat.  Ever  and 
affectionately  yours. 


Marquis  de  Lafayette 


(1757-1834.) 

Reproduction  from  the  Original  Painting  by  Thomas  Sully.  The 
painting  hangs  behind  the  Speaker's  Desk  in  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives at  Washington. 


MANUSCRIPTS 

FROM 

THE  VIRGINIA  STATE  LIBRARY 
COLLECTION. 


VOL.  XIX — 19 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTES. 


A  curious  old  tome  bearing  the  title  "Thomas  Jefferson's  Letter 
Book"  recently  came  to  light  in  the  Virginia  State  Library  at  Rich- 
mond. Upon  examination  it  was  found  to  contain  copies  of  letters 
and  orders  sent  by  Jefferson  during  the  last  six  months  of  his  Governor- 
ship of  the  State  of  Virginia.  In  all  probability  these  letters  and  orders 
were  transcribed  in  this  book  by  one  of  Jefferson's  secretaries  or  some 
other  official.  Careful  consideration  of  the  contents  led  to  the  selec- 
tions presented  in  the  following  pages  which,  though  not  attempting 
to  give  the  collection  in  its  entirety,  owing  to  repetitions  of  the  same 
statement  to  different  persons,  may  be  said,  however,  to  present  the 
gist  of  the  collection  as  a  whole. 

So  far  as  is  known  this  is  the  first  time  the  letters  have  been 
printed  and  given  to  the  public.  It  is  well  known  that  Jefferson  was 
in  the  habit  of  retaining  a  copy  of  everything  that  emanated  from 
his  pen.  These  copies  were  usually  in  his  own  handwriting.  It  was 
presumably  owing  to  the  stress  of  the  occasion  during  which  these 
letters  were  issued  that  he  entrusted  the  copying  to  a  clerk.  Hence 
the  copies  of  these  letters  and  orders  in  the  old  yellowed  volume  in 
which  they  have  been  preserved. 

These  documents  are  of  unusual  interest  as  written  evidences  of 
Jefferson's  efforts  to  cope  with  one  of  the  greatest  crises  of  his  life, 
when,  at  the  expiration  of  his  second  term  as  Governor  of  Virginia, 
his  native  State  was  a  centre  of  warring  elements.  Strife  concentrated 
about  him.  He  had  to  supply  the  Virginia  regiment  in  Washington's 
Army  with  men,  and  at  the  same  time  send  all  possible  support  to 
General  Gates  in  his  Southern  Campaign.  The  Indians  in  the  western 
part  of  the  State  were  a  source  of  constant  anxiety  and  trouble,  and 
the  British  and  Hessian  prisoners  had  to  be  guarded  and  supplied 
with  provisions.  Then  came  Benedict  Arnold,  early  in  January,  1781, 
with  his  vessels  of  war  and  sixteen  hundred  men  to  besiege  and  plunder 
the  city  of  Richmond,  and  to  cap  the  climax  of  Jefferson's  trials.  How 
Jefferson  conducted  himself  is  a  matter  of  history  which  the  documents 
contained  in  "The  Richmond  Collection"  further  corroborate,  testi- 


292  Jefferson's  Works 


fying  to  his  constant  endeavors  to  meet  and  thwart  the  difficulties 
threatening  to  overcome  him. 

The  majority  of  the  letters  are  addressed  to  Baron  Steuben, 
General  Gates,  General  Nelson,  General  Greene,  General  Muhlenberg 
and  Marquis  de  Lafayette.  All  of  them  show  the  activity  of  Jefferson 
in  keeping  up  communication  with  these  commanders  throughout  the 
country  wherever  they  might  be  engaged  in  fighting  against  the 
British  invaders. 

Acknowledgment  is  due  to  John  P.  Kennedy,  Librarian  of  the 
Virginia  State  Library,  Richmond,  Va.,  to  whose  kindness  and  courtesy 
the  editors  of  the  present  edition  of  Jefferson's  Writings  are  indebted 
for  the  reproduction  of  the  manuscripts  in  question. 


MANUSCRIPTS  FROM  THE  VIRGINIA 
STATE  LIBRARY  COLLECTION. 


TO  THE  QUARTER-MASTERS  OF  FREDERICK,  HAMPSHIRE 
AND  BERKELEY. 

Richmond,  December  24,  1780. 

Sir, — A  detachment  of  the  militia  of  the  county 
of  Frederick  being  ordered  to  Fort  Pitt  on  their 
way  down  the  Ohio,  you  are  desired  to  act  as  com- 
missary and  quarter-master  for  them  till  their 
arrival  at  Fort  Pitt.  The  time  of  their  rendez- 
vousing within  the  county  will  be  made  known 
to  you  by  the  commanding  officer.  You  will, 
therefore,  provide  in  time  subsistence  for  them 
during  their  march,  and  transportation  for  the 
little  baggage  they  will  carry.  You  will  also  receive 
and  transport  with  them  to  the  same  place  400 
camp  kettles,  1000  pounds  powder,  some  medicine, 
tents  and  other  things.  This  transportation  is 
to  be  effected  by  wagons  or  horses  for  hire,  and 
not  to  be  purchased.    I  send  you  for  the  purpose 

of  enabling  you  to  perform  these  duties  to   

for  the  expenditure  of  which  you  will  finally  settle 
with  the  board  of  auditors  for  the  counties  of 


294  Jefferson's  Works 


Berkeley  and  Hampshire  the  same,  except  omitting 

this  sentence  "  you  will  also  receive    tents 

and  other  things." 

Frederick  £40,000 

Hampshire   2  5 ,000 

Berkeley   30,000 


TO  MAJOR-GENERAL  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  January  12,  1781. 
Sir, — I  was  honored  with  yours  of  yesterday  by 
Colonel  Loyante.  General  Weedon,  to  whom  the 
care  of  the  works  at  Fredericksburg  had  been 
committed,  being  now  at  Hanover  Court-House,  I 
have  referred  Colonel  Loyante  to  him,  and  given 
them  authority  to  make  use  of  the  brass  cannon, 
ho  wit  z  or  mortars  at  New  Castle,  if  they  use  them, 
for  they  are  unmounted.  I  heard  in  the  same 
instant  that  744  riflemen  under  Colonel  Matthews 
were  as  far  as  Albemarle  on  their  way  down.  Being 
then  within  sixty  miles  of  Fredericksburg  I  have 
ordered  them  to  proceed  to  that  place. 


TO  MAJOR-GENERAL  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  January  14,  1781. 
Sir, — Your  letters  of  the  12th  and  13th  are  now 
before  me.    They  are  in  some  measure  answered 
by  some  marginal  notes  on  the  several  articles 
in  a  paper  delivered  me  by  Major  Walker.  If 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  295 


there  be  any  State  arms  fit  for  use  and  still  unde- 
livered they  are  so  few  that  we  may  consider  them 
as  nothing.  I  should,  therefore,  think  it  proper 
to  discharge  so  many  militia  as  cannot  be  furnished 
with  arms.  My  letter  of  yesterday  will  point  out 
what  particular  militia  should  be  discharged. 
Should  it  happen  that  there  are  already  more 
militia  with  you  from  the  counties  enumerated 
in  my  yesterday's  letter  than  you  have  arms  for, 
would  it  not  be  proper  to  send  the  surplus  of  such 
militia  over  to  General  Nelson  to  take  the  place 
and  arms  of  so  many  of  his  who  were  not  meant 
to  be  detained? 

The  public  have  not  a  pound  of  powder  or  other 
article  of  military  stores  at  South  Quay,  except 
some  twenty-four  and  eighteen  pound  iron  cannon: 
they  are  unusually  heavy  for  this  bore,  and  a 
quarter-master  has  been  specially  sent  and  em- 
ployed there  during  the  last  summer  in  bringing 
them  over  to  Suffolk  or  Smithfield.  They  have 
so  far  baffled  his  attempts,  as  that  he  has  got  over 
but  one  of  them;  another  broke  down  a  bridge 
on  its  passage,  which  suspend  his  further  endeavors. 

P.  S.  If  it  be  possible  for  you  to  spare  Colonel 
Senf  to  plan  our  works  at  Westham  we  shall  be 
glad  of  his  assistance. 


296  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  COLONEL  TIMOTHY  PICKERING. 

Richmond,  January  15,  1781. 
Sir, — I  wrote  you  in  a  former  letter  that  on 
the  recommendation  of  General  Greene,  we  had 
proposed  to  Major  Forsyth  the  accepting  the 
appointment  of  deputy  quarter-master  here,  which 
you  had  been  pleased  to  refer  to  us.  This  appoint- 
ment was  kept  open,  I  think,  a  month,  during 
which  time  (and  indeed  at  any  time  since)  we 
never  received  any  answer  from  Major  Forsyth, 
or  intimation  through  any  other  channel  that  he 
would  undertake  it.  On  the  contrary  it  appeared 
by  letter  from  him  that  he  had  accepted  the  office 
of  deputy  commissary  of  purchases  for  the 
Southern  Department.  In  the  meantime  Colonel 
Canington,  appointed  by  General  Greene  deputy 
quarter-master  to  the  Southern  army,  arrived 
here,  claimed  the  right  of  nomination,  and  nominated 
a  Major  Claiborne.  Though  we  doubted  the  pro- 
priety of  his  claim,  yet  it  was  a  want  of  acquaintance 
with  Major  Claiborne  and  a  real  inability  (after 
the  refusal  of  Mr.  Divers  and  Major  Forsyth)  to 
find  another  whom  we  could  recommend  in  all 
points,  which  induced  us  to  refer  the  nomination 
altogether  to  Baron  Steuben,  who  was  here.  He 
approved  of  Major  Claiborne  as  having  formerly 
known  him  while  of  General  Greene's  family  and 
assured  us  the  appointment  would  be  particularly 
agreeable  to  General  Greene,  and  that  he  would 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  297 


undertake  to  satisfy  you  also  of  its  propriety.  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  inform  you  of  this  matter, 
and  have  no  doubt  from  anything  which  I  have 
yet  seen  but  that  Major  Claiborne  will  do  justice 
to  the  Baron's  expectations. 


TO  GENERAL  NELSON. 

Richmond,  January  16,  1781. 
Sir, — The  bearer  hereof,  Captain  Joel,  proposes 
to  engage  with  others  to  undertake  with  himself 
an  enterprise  on  the  enemy's  fleet  wherever  it  shall 
be  collected  in  harbor.  As  he  requires  only  an 
old  vessel  of  the  most  worthless  kind,  and  proper 
preparations  for  her,  I  think  the  object  will  justify 
the  risk.  So  many  orders  and  measures  may  be 
necessary  in  the  detail  of  executing  this  business 
that  I  cannot  do  better  than  to  give  a  general  sanc- 
tion to  it,  and  ask  the  favor  of  yourself  to  have 
everything  provided  which  he  may  think  necessary 
to  ensure  success.  Rewards  are  expected  on  des- 
perate undertakings  of  this  kind,  and  though  not 
necessary  to  stimulate  him,  may  be  necessary  for 
his  associates.  I  will,  therefore,  leave  it  to  your- 
self to  fix  them  previously,  or  to  agree  with  the 
gentlemen  that  they  shall  be  referred  to  the  Execu- 
tive after  the  service  shall  have  been  performed. 


*98  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  COLONEL  CARRINGTON. 

Richmond,  January  16,  1781. 

Sir, — I  have  desired  Colonel  Muter  to  have 
delivered  to  Major  Claiborne  such  of  the  articles 
applied  for  in  your  letter  of  the  10th  instant  as  we 
have.  We  have  no  tents  of  any  kind.  Axes, 
spades,  shovels  and  padlocks  can  probably  be 
furnished.  We  have  sent  to  Fredericksburg  for 
camp-kettles,  which  shall  be  forwarded  as  soon 
as  they  come. 

I  think  a  few  days  will  probably  determine 
the  enemy's  ultimate  designs  as  to  us:  in  the 
meantime  I  do  not  wish  to  give  any  decisive  orders 
as  to  the  place  of  slaughtering  the  provisions.  The 
expenditure  of  pork  indeed  at  this  season  must 
be  forbidden.  It  shall  be  my  endeavor  to  suffer 
this  invasion  to  divert  as  little  as  possible  of  our 
supplies  for  the  Southern  army. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  January  19,  1781. 
Sir, — A  warrant  was  yesterday  made  out  for 
Mr.  Harrison  for  two  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
and  I  shall  take  the  first  opportunity  of  informing 
him  that  the  money  is  in  readiness.  This  is  in 
consequence  of  your  requisition  communicated  by 
Major  Walker. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  299 


Dr.  Evans,  the  bearer  of  your  letter,  will  receive 
from  the  gentleman  who  has  the  care  of  our  medicine 
whatever  articles  can  be  furnished  from  that  stock. 
It  is  a  very  imperfect  collection.  I,  immediately, 
on  receiving  the  communication  from  you  by 
Major  Walker  that  you  would  wish  such  a  person 
as  you  therein  described  to  be  with  you,  laid 
it  before  the  Council.  We  concluded  to  propose 
to  Mr.  Walker  (late  one  of  our  delegates)  to  accept 
this  office;  having  once  been  a  member  of  the 
Council,  he  is  not  unacquainted  with  our  arrange- 
ments. I  sent  to  him  by  express,  and  shall  hope 
for  an  answer  very  shortly.  I  sincerely  wish  he 
may  consent  to  undertake  it,  as  I  am  satisfied 
he  can  save  you  much  trouble.  Should  he  decline 
it  I  apprehend  it  is  not  easy  to  find  another  who 
will  be  of  real  use  to  you. 

None  of  the  militia  with  General  Weedon  (except 
from  the  counties  of  Rockbridge,  Augusta,  Rock- 
ingham and  Shenandoah)  were  of  the  counties 
intended  to  be  kept  in  the  field.  I  thought  it 
necessary  to  mention  this  circumstance  to  you, 
as  you  might  perhaps  think  proper  to  discharge 
them  before  they  join  General  Nelson.  I  have 
the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 
Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


3°°  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  January  19,  1781. 
Sir, — Shirts  had  been  ordered  for  Colonel 
Armand's  Corps  on  your  former  requisition;  these, 
I  believe,  are  ready.  They  are  ordered  to  be 
delivered  to  Major  Loman's  order.  We  have  not 
a  single  article  of  the  others  enumerated  in  his 
list  of  necessaries  wanted.  We  could,  therefore, 
only  undertake  for  him  to  furnish  money  to  the 
Continental  quarter-master  or  any  other  proper 
person  to  procure  them;  if  this  mode  should  be 
approved,  this  or  any  other  assistance  we  can  give 
shall  be  afforded.  The  practice  introduced  by 
the  enemy  of  laying  the  country  through  which 
they  pass  under  a  parole  is  so  mischievous  that 
I  have  thought  it  necessary  to  issue  the  proclamation 
of  which  I  enclose  you  a  copy.  I  have  the  honor 
to  be,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  January,  29  1781. 
Sir, — I  send  you  below  a  list  of  the  counties 
which  were  called  on  to  make  a  part  of  the  four 
thousand  men  for  this  invasion,  though  they  were 
called  into  the  field  on  the  last  invasion  also.  As 
your  reduction  of  the  four  thousand  to  two  thousand 
seven  hundred  will  enable  you  to  discharge  some 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3QI 


of  those  counties,  I  think  it  would  be  best  that 
these  below  mentioned  should  be  first  discharged. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  esteem,  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


Note. — Rockbridge,  Augusta  and  Rockingham 
were  also  called  down  on  the  former  invasion,  but 
I  apprehend  it  will  not  be  proper  to  discharge  them. 


TO  GOVERNOR  NASH  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Sir, — As  it  is  possible  the  enemy  may  mean 
to  continue  in  their  present  position  at  Portsmouth, 
and  thereby  shut  up  all  commerce  through  the 
bay  of  Chesapeake,  it  becomes  necessary  to  make 
provision  in  time  through  some  other  channel, 
of  salt,  clothing  and  coverings  for  our  Southern 
army.  South  Quay  presents  itself  as  the  most 
practicable  port.  We  have  found  it  necessary 
here  to  permit  the  exportation  of  corn  on  public 
account  to  procure  salt  for  public  use.  Vessels 
will,  therefore,  be  freighted  with  this  article  from 
South  Quay,  which,  as  they  must  of  necessity  pass 
through  your  State,  I  hope  will  be  permitted  to 
pass  freely;    indeed  could  your  Excellency  give 


Amherst. 

Albemarle. 

Fluvanna. 

Goochland. 

Powhatan. 


Brunswick. 
Dinwiddie. 
Chesterfield 
Henrico. 


Amelia 


Richmond,  February  2,  1781. 


3°2  Jefferson's  Works 


permission  to  Mr.  Ross,  our  commercial  agent, 
to  procure  part  of  his  loading  of  corn  in  your  State, 
it  would  save  much  transportation  to  us.  The 
returns  in  salt  will  be  in  like  manner  to  South 
Quay,  or  directly  up  the  Roanoke  to  the  magazines 
desired  to  be  established  by  General  Greene. 

We  hope  within  a  short  time  to  complete  the 
equipments  of  the  residue  of  our  regulars  (between 
four  and  five  hundred)  and  to  send  them  on  to 
General  Greene,  being  determined  to  permit  the 
body  of  plunderers  in  our  State  to  divert  as  little 
as  possible  of  our  effectual  aids  from  the  southern 
quarter.  We  shall  oppose  them  with  militia,  and 
send  our  regulars  to  join  the  Southern  army. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  very  great  esteem, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  February  7,  1781. 
Sir, — The  inclosed  letter  contains  the  first  noti- 
fication the  Executive  have  received  of  the  existence 
of  any  such  cases  as  that  of  Lieutenant  Warman 
therein  stated.  Exclusive  of  the  justice  of  his 
claim,  the  express  reservation  by  the  board  of 
officers  of  the  rights  of  all  those  in  his  situations, 
seems  to  place  him  on  the  footing  on  which  he 
would  have  been  had  his  commission  been  actually 
made  out  instead  of  that  of  whatever  officer  was 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3°3 


substituted  in  his  place.  As  you  are  proceeding 
to  a  new  arrangement  of  our  line,  I  have  taken 
the  liberty  of  referring  Lieutenant  Warman  with 
the  inclosed  letter  to  you  to  claim  his  rank.  Should 
these  be  contrary  to  the  expectations  of  the  Execu- 
tive, such  reasons  against  his  claim  and  in  favor 
of  his  competition,  as  in  your  judgment  should 
decide  this  point  against  Lieutenant  Warman, 
shall  be  obliged  to  you  for  a  communication  of 
them;  and  in  the  meantime  to  keep  the  question 
open. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  very  great  esteem 
and  respect,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

In  Council,  February  7,  1781. 
Sir, — The  bearer  hereof,  Colonel  Gaines,  a  militia 
officer  in  the  county  of  Amherst,  being  desirous 
to  become  qualified  in  fact  for  the  command  he 
holds  in  his  county,  has  applied  to  us  to  be  per- 
mitted to  serve  on  such  a  footing  as  will  place 
it  in  his  power  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  his  duty, 
asking  nothing  but  rations  and  forage.  While 
others,  offended  at  the  preference  given  to  officers 
formerly  of  the  line,  have  resigned  commissions, 
the  duty  of  which  they  were  not  qualified  to  dis- 
charge, this  gentleman  more  laudably  determines 
to  learn  those  duties.  This  spirit  we  wish  to 
encourage  because  produced  by  a  due  tempera- 


3°4  Jefferson's  Works 


ment  of  modesty  and  patriotism.  Now,  therefore, 
as  the  undertaking  is,  I  must  beg  the  favor  of 
you  to  find  some  means  of  disposing  not  only  of 
him,  but  of  any  others  who  may  apply  for  the 
same  purpose,  so  as  to  put  it  in  their  power  to 
acquire  the  knowledge  necessary  to  enable  them 
to  act  in  their  proper  command  hereafter.  The 
rations  and  forage  allowed  them  shall  be  at  the 
expense  of  the  State.  I  am,  with  much  respect, 
Sir,  yours,  etc. 


TO  THE  VIRGINIA  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 

Richmond,  February  7,  1781. 

Gentlemen, — The  Courier  d'Europe,  a  vessel 
from  Penet  and  Company,  having  on  board  military 
stores  for  this  State,  was  chased  into  Boston  by 
the  enemy  in  the  summer  of  1779.  They  were 
principally  artillery  stores,  too  bulky  and  heavy 
for  us  to  think  of  bringing  them  on  by  land.  By 
the  loss  of  our  papers  we  are  unable  to  furnish 
an  invoice  of  them,  but  they  are  in  the  hands  of 
a  Mr.  I.  Bradford,  in  Boston,  who,  I  suppose,  can 
furnish  you  with  one.  If  you  can  get  them  on 
board  any  part  of  the  French  fleet,  which  may 
at  any  time  be  coming  here,  it  would  be  eligible; 
otherwise  I  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  have  them 
disposed  of  to  the  best  advantage  for  the  public. 

I  am,  with  very  great  respect  and  esteem,  gentle- 
men, your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3°5 


TO  GENERAL  NELSON. 

In  Council,  February  10,  1781. 
Dear  General, — Information  having  been  given 
the  Board  that  sundry  horses  of  British  property, 
having  been  left  by  the  enemy,  were  taken  by  our 
militia  or  unarmed  citizens,  and  a  question  made 
whether  they  belong  to  the  Commonwealth  or  the 
captor,  we  are  of  opinion  that  they  should  be 
yielded  to  the  captor.  It  is  thought,  however, 
when  any  public  doubt  can  arise  who  was  captor, 
that  the  horses  should  be  put  in  the  hands  of  the 
State  quarter-master,  and  the  party  or  parties 
claiming  make  their  right  appear  to  the  Commis- 
sioner of  the  War  Office.  As  this  question,  as  far 
as  we  are  informed,  concerns  only  persons  under 
your  command,  I  take  the  liberty  of  communicating 
it  to  you. 

Your  disposition  of  the  hides  of  slaughtered 
beeves  is  approved  of.  I  am  sorry  any  loss  has 
been  incurred  in  that  article  before.  We  made 
it  the  subject  of  inquiry  on  the  former  invasion, 
and  from  the  reports  made  to  us,  had  reason  to 
believe  all  had  been  taken  care  of.  The  oil  is 
almost  of  as  much  importance  as  the  hide. 

The  wagons  which  were  sent  to  Fredericksburg  for 
camp-kettles  found  none  ready  made.  Mr.  Hunter 
is  making  more,  and  other  wagons  will  go  off  for 
them  within  three  on  four  days.  As  fast  as  they 
are  brought  we  shall  endeavor  to  send  them  to 

VOL.  XIX  20 


3°6  Jefferson's  Works 


the  militia.  It  would  be  well  for  us  to  be  informed 
what  number  you  have. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

In  Council,  February  12,  1781. 
Sir, — I  have  been  honored  with  your  letter 
of  yesterday's  date.  Your  representation  of  the 
importance  of  erecting  a  small  work  at  Hood's 
was  considered  by  the  Executive  as  an  evidence 
of  your  friendly  attentions  to  the  defence  of  the 
State,  and  was  by  them,  as  you  desired,  laid  before 
the  assembly.  The  assembly,  pressed  in  time,  did 
not,  as  far  as  I  am  informed  take  it  under  con- 
sideration. The  invasion  which  took  place  just 
before  their  rising  prevented  anything  further 
being  done  till  the  departure  of  the  enemy  from 
this  place,  and  the  return  of  the  Executive  to  it. 
The  proposition  of  undertaking  the  work  which 
you  then  again  renewed  was  approved  by  them, 
and  they  determined  to  procure  if  possible  the 
several  articles  necessary  for  carrying  it  into  imme- 
diate execution  according  to  a  plan  and  estimate 
prepared  by  Colonel  Senf.  I  think,  however,  you 
misapprehended  us  when  you  understood  it  was 
agreed  that  the  forty  negroes  and  ten  artificers 
required  should  be  furnished  by  the  five  nearest 
counties,  and  be  at  the  spot  the  7th  instant;  it 
does  not  occur  to  myself,  or  any  gentleman  of  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3°7 


Council,  that  the  7th,  or  any  other  day  was  fixed 
on  for  their  assembling,  and  that  we  could  not 
have  agreed  that  the  forty  negroes  and  ten  artificers 
should  be  furnished  by  the  five  nearest  counties 
may  be  deduced  from  the  conversation  which  you 
will  recollect  to  have  passed  between  us  the  evening 
before  you  last  went  to  Cabin  Point.  You  informed 
me  you  meant  to  call  for  twenty  militia  from  each 
of  the  five  circumjacent  counties  to  come  to  Hood's 
with  their  hoes  and  axes  to  erect  the  work,  but 
to  notify  them  at  the  same  time  that  you  would 
receive  ten  negroes  in  their  room.  And  you  asked 
me  whether  you  must  apply  to  government  for 
authority  to  do  this.  I  answered,  that  such  an 
application  would  produce  no  effect,  as  it  had 
been  the  subject  of  conversation  at  the  Council 
Board  that  day,  and  the  Board  was  of  opinion 
we  had  no  right  to  call  out  the  militia  to  do  fatigue 
duty.  You  then  replied,  you  could  do  it  of  your 
own  authority  and  throw  yourself  on  the  assembly 
for  a  justification. 

I  repeat  this  conversation  thus  particularly  to 
satisfy  you  that  we  could  not  have  agreed  that 
the  five  nearest  counties  should  produce  these 
laborers,  and  of  course  that  we  stand  discharged 
of  having  failed  to  fulfil  such  an  agreement. 

The  Executive  have  not  by  the  laws  of  this 
State,  any  power  to  call  a  freeman  to  labor  even 
for  the  public  without  his  consent,  nor  a  slave 
without  that  of  his  master:  sensible  of  this,  when 


3°S  Jefferson's  Works 


we  first  proposed  to  undertake  this  work,  as  you 
meant  that  Colonel  Senf  should  superintend  it, 
I  desired  him  to  search  among  our  artillery  officers 
whom  he  would  choose  to  conduct  it  under  his 
direction,  and  that  this  officer  should  immediately 
proceed  to  hire  the  slaves  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Hood's,  where  I  thought  it  most  likely  the  people 
would  be  willing  to  hire  as  the  work  respected 
their  safety  more  immediately.  He  did  so,  and 
sent  a  Captain  Allen  on  this  business.  In  a  sub- 
sequent journey  to  Petersburg  Colonel  Senf  informed 
me  that  he  had  himself  engaged  eight  or  ten.  Four 
carpenters  were  assigned  to  Colonel  Senf  at  this 
place.  The  several  articles  of  tools  (except  hoes) 
and  fascine  knives  and  barrows  were  procured 
for  him  here,  a  boat  to  carry  them  down,  and  I 
took  it  for  granted  that  they  went.  The  two 
blacksmiths  are  ready  at  this  place  when  wanted. 
What  success  Captain  Allen  has  had  is  not  reported, 
to  me.  The  Executive  are  far  from  thinking 
this  work  unnecessary ;  nor  yet  that  it  will  be  out 
of  their  power  to  furnish  the  necessaries  for  erect- 
ing it.  Yet  they  may  possibly  be  disappointed 
in  their  expectations  of  engaging  voluntary  laborers, 
the  only  means  in  their  power.  Sensible  that  a 
necessary  work  is  not  to  be  abandoned  because  their 
means  are  not  so  energetic  as  they  could  wish  them, 
and  on  the  contrary  that  it  is  their  duty  to  take  those 
means  as  they  find  them  and  to  make  the  most  of 
them  for  the  public  good,  they  propose  to  pursue 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  309 


this  work,  and  if  they  cannot  accomplish  it  in  a 
shorter,  they  will  in  a  longer  time. 

From  a  review  of  these  circumstances,  I  hope 
you  will  be  persuaded  that  any  delays  which  may 
have  occured  have  been  produced  by  circumstances 
which  it  was  not  in  our  power  to  control,  and  not 
from  either  a  want  of  attention  or  inclination 
to  the  work.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great 
respect,  yours,  etc.,  etc. 


to  speaker  harrison 
(house  of  burgesses). 

Richmond,  February  12,  1781. 

Sir, — Colonel  John  Gibson  is'  appointed  to  go 
as  next  in  command  under  General  Clarke  on  the 
business  communicated  to  you.  As  Colonel  Gibson 
is  now  here  he  will  return  to  Fort  Pitt  by  the  way 
of  Baltimore  to  see  the  powder  sent  on,  and  prevent 
any  danger  of  its  stopping  by  the  way.  Be  so 
good  as  to  lodge  at  Goddard's,  the  printer,  in  Balti- 
more, a  line  to  Colonel  Gibson  informing  him  in 
what  State  the  procuring  of  the  powder  is;  he  will 
call  there  for  it. 

That  your  information  may  be  perfect  as  we 
can  render  it,  I  am  to  inform'  you  that  the  three 
months'  militia  under  General  Stevens  in  North 
Carolina,  their  number  not  known,  are  discharged, 
having  served  their  term  out.  For  southern  news 
I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  President  of  Con- 


31©  Jefferson's  Works 


gress,  who  has  a  letter  from  Baron  Steuben  giving 
information  of  the  events  in  the  neighborhood 
of  General  Greene,  and  one  from  myself  as  to  the 
movements  of  the  enemy  at  Cape  Fear.  Arnold 
remains  quiet.  Colonel  Dunlap  came  out  the  first 
instant  with  five  hundred  men  towards  Suffolk. 
General  Lawson  went  down  toward  him  with  an 
equal  number,  whereon  Dunlap  returned  in  the 
night.  They  are  drawing  their  shipping  into 
shallow  water,  and  have  a  large  vessel  from  New 
York  cut  down  so  as  to  mount  twenty  twenty-four 
pounders  on  one  deck.    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  February  13,  1781. 
Sir, — The  inclosed  resolutions  of  Congress  of 
January  8th  and  April  9th,  1779,  under  which 
Captain  Weths'  independent  company  at  Fort  Pitt 
were  raised,  will  inform  you  of  a  condition  to  which 
they  seem  entitled  of  not  being  removed  from 
that  station  without  their  consent;  the  subsequent 
one  of  October  3d,  1780,  incorporates  them  in 
positive  terms  into  the  troops  of  the  State.  The 
former  resolutions  were  probably  not  recollected 
at  the  time.  The  footing  on  which,  therefore, 
they  seem  to  stand  rightfully,  is  to  remain  at  Fort 
Pitt  if  they  choose  it;  but  as  it  was  the  desire 
of  Congress  that  they  should  be  annexed  to  some 
of  our  regiments,  and  Colonel  J.  Gibson  thinks 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  311 


they  would  rather  join  his  than  remain  at  Fort 
Pitt  after  losing  their  own  officers,  I  beg  leave  to 
refer  to  you  whether  it  might  not  be  proper  that 
you  should  order  so  many  of  them  to  be  annexed 
to  that  regiment  as  should  be  willing  to  join  it. 

This,  while  it  pays  due  respect  to  a  solemn  engage- 
ment with  those  people,  will  probably  effect  the 
wish  of  Congress  in  reducing  that,  as  well  as  other 
detached  corps,  to  some  regular  from. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  Sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  February  15,  1781. 
Sir, — I  received  last  night  a  letter  from  General 
Greene  referring  me  for  particulars  to  you.  How- 
ever, he  gives  me  enough  to  convince  me  that 
reinforcements  of  militia  must  be  sent  him.  I 
think  the  most  speedy  and  effectual  reinforcement 
would  be  the  militia  of  Rockbridge,  Augusta, 
Rockingham  and  Shenandoah  now  encamped  below, 
provided  they  can  be  induced  to  go  willingly. 
The  length  of  their  march  heretofore,  and  having 
been  some  time  in  service,  seems  to  give  them  a 
right  to  be  consulted.  I  leave  the  detaching  them 
to  the  aid  of  General  Greene  to  your  better  judg- 
ment. Should  you  approve  of  it  and  think  it 
necessary  to  call  other  militia  to  take  their  place, 
I  will  order  others.    Besides  this  reinforcement  to 


312  Jefferson's  Works 


General  Greene  I  propose  to  order  from  Washington, 
Montgomery  and  Botetourt,  five  hundred  and  forty 
riflemen,  and  from  Pittsylvania  and  Henry  four 
hundred  and  eighty,  who  will  want  arms;  to  these 
add  the  detachment  at  Chesterfield  C.  H.  I  send 
out  to-day  the  orders  to  Washington,  Montgomery, 
Botetourt,  Pittsylvania  and  Henry.  If  you  would 
advise  any  more,  and  think  they  can  be  armed, 
more  will  be  sent. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  Sir, 
etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  February  17,  1781. 
Sir, — Mr.  Loyall,  from  the  post  at  the  North 
West  Bridge,  representing  to  me  that  about  four 
hundred  of  the  militia  of  Princess  Anne  and  Nor- 
folk are  embodied,  that  they  annoy  the  enemy 
considerably,  restraining  their  foraging  parties,  and 
checking  their  motions  (which  latter  circumstance 
is  confirmed  by  letter  from  General  Lawson),  but 
that  they  are  dispirited  for  want  of  some  com- 
munication with  the  main  army  on  the  northern 
end  of  the  Dismal,  and  meditating  to  lay  down 
their  arms.  I  submit  to  yourself  the  propriety 
of  establishing  a  line  of  riders  from  General  Gre- 
gory's camp  to  such  of  your  posts  as  you  shall 
think  proper.  Your  order  (if  you  think  proper) 
to  Colonel  Elliott,  the  field  quarter-master,  will 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3X3 


suffice  to  effect  this.  I  have  taken  the  liberty 
of  referring  Mr.  Loyall  to  you.  He  will  also  speak 
with  you  on  the  subject  of  arms;  but  as  those 
already  embodied  are  armed,  I  cannot  but  doubt 
the  expediency  of  sending  any  from  our  stock 
under  present  circumstances. 

I  order  the  commissary  to  send  a  deputy  to 
subsist  these  men  on  the  east  of  the  Dismal.  Every 
circumstance  of  notice  will  keep  up  their  spirits; 
and  if  the  enemy  can  be  restrained  from  foraging 
below  Portsmouth  as  well  as  above,  they  will  be 
less  easy  in  their  situation.   I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  February  18,  1781. 
Sir, — I  have  this  moment  received  intelligence 
that  Lord  Cornwallis  continues  his  rapid  approach, 
and  there  is  reason  to  believe  he  was  at  Roanoke 
on  the  14th.  This  information  is  not  authentic, 
yet  it  comes  in  such  manner  as  to  command  some 
attention.  I  have,  therefore,  thought  it  expedient 
to  order  every  man  of  the  counties  of  Powhatan, 
Cumberland,  Amelia,  Lunenburg  and  Brunswick 
who  has  a  firelock,  or  for  whom  one  can  be  pro- 
cured, to  be  embodied  and  marched  immediately 
to  join  General  Greene,  and  those  of  the  counties 
of  Chesterfield  and  Dinwiddie  to  be  embodied, 
but  not  marched  till  further  orders,  which  they 


3H  Jefferson's  Works 


may  receive  at  the  moment  of  embodying  better 
adapted  to  actual  circumstances. 

I  am  aware  of  the  possibility  that  my  informa- 
tion may  be  premature,  yet  as  its  truth  is  equally 
possible  and  the  consequences  of  disregarding  it 
might  be  so  much  more  fatal,  I  think  it  my  duty 
to  take  this  measure.    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  GENERAL  GREENE. 

Richmond,  February  19,  1781. 

Sir,— I  wrote  you  in  haste  yesterday  by  the 
return  of  your  express  in  answer  to  your  letter 
of  the  15th.  Major  McGill  not  being  able  to  set 
out  till  this  morning,  furnishes  me  with  an  oppor- 
tunity of  inclosing  you  regular  blank  powers  of 
impress  to  be  directed  to  such  persons  as  you  shall 
think  proper  for  impressing  horses  for  your  dragoons. 

When  we  ordered  out  the  militia  from  the  several 
counties  we  ordered  them  to  go  properly  officered, 
as  we  had  no  certainty  of  there  being  any  regular 
officers  ready  to  command  them.  There  is  now 
a  great  collection  of  regular  officers  at  Chester- 
field C.  H.,  met  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  our 
line  and  discharging  it  of  supernumeraries.  As 
there  are  not  regulars  for  even  those  who  will 
remain  in  the  service  to  command,  I  shall  submit 
to  Baron  Steuben,  whether,  besides  requesting 
all  those  who  shall  be  declared  supernumerary 
to  go    to  you,  it  may  not  be  expedient  to  send 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3*5 


those  also  who  though  remaining  of  the  line  cannot 
have  a  present  command  for  want  of  men.  If 
these  go,  it  will  be  in  your  power  to  permit  such 
of  the  militia  officers  to  return  home  as  choose  it, 
and  forming  the  men  into  small  battalions,  to 
dispose  of  both  regular  and  militia  officers  as  you 
please. 

Baron  Steuben  has  availed  himself  at  Suffolk 
of  the  regular  officers  by  forming  the  militia  into 
regiments  of  four  hundred  each,  and  dividing 
the  regiment  into  two  battalions  of  two  hundred 
each.  This  gave  room  for  the  regular  officers, 
who,  of  course,  commanded  those  of  the  militia 
of  the  same  rank;  however,  this  and  every  other 
plan  is  submitted  to  yourself.  I  have  the  honor 
to  be,  with  very  great  esteem,  Sir,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  February  21,  1781. 
Sir, — I  received  from  Mr.  Armistead  yesterday 
afternoon  a  copy  of  the  receipt  for  the  one  hundred 
and  seventeen  blankets.  He  excuses  himself  for 
the  error  in  calling  them  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
five  from  having  spoken  by  memory.  I  did  not 
observe  till  I  delivered  it  to  you  that  the  certi- 
ficate of  the  delivery  of  Mr.  Ross's  blankets  (one 
hundred  and  five  I  think  there  were)  wanted  a 
date.  I  know,  however,  that  they  were  delivered 
about  the  same  time  with  those  from  Mr.  Armistead. 


3i6  Jefferson's  Works 


There  will  still  remain  ninety  unaccounted  for, 
which  will  be  worth  inquiring. 

The  enclosed  letter  from  the  Continental  director 
of  the  hospital  at  Fredericksburg  being  proper 
to  be  transmitted  to  whatever  person  has  succeeded 
Dr.  Kirkman,  either  in  his  office  generally  or  in 
the  custody  of  the  Continental  medicines,  and 
being  uninformed  who  that  person  is,  I  take  the 
liberty  of  submitting  it  to  your  order, 


TO  THE  OFFICER  COMMANDING  THE  NAVAL  FORCE 
OF  HIS  MOST  CHRISTIAN  MAJESTY  ON  THE  COAST 
OF  VIRGINIA. 

Richmond,  February  28,  1781. 
Sir, — I  have  the  honor  to  forward  to  you  the 
inclosed  letter  which  accompanied  others  from 
General  Washington  and  the  Marquis  Lafayette 
to  the  honorable  Major-General  Baron  Steuben 
and  myself.  That  there  may  be  no  disappoint- 
ment in  procuring  the  pilots  required,  I  get  the 
favor  of  Captain  Maxwell,  Naval  Commander  to 
this  State,  to  proceed  to  Hampton  to  provide  them. 
His  knowledge  of  the  service  and  of  the  properest 
persons  to  be  employed  will,  I  hope,  ensure  our 
getting  them.  You  will  be  pleased  to  advise 
him  as  to  the  number  necessary.  The  commu- 
nication between  yourself  and  the  commanding 
officer  on  shore,  I  suppose  to  be  at  present  safe  and 
easy.    If  you  can  point  out  anything  which  it  is  in 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  31! 


my  power  to  have  done  to  render  it  more  so,  I  shall 
with  great  pleasure  have  it  done. 

General  Washington  mentions  that  you  had 
been  so  kind  as  to  take  on  board  some  arms  and 
clothing  on  account  of  this  State.  Captain  Max- 
well is  instructed  to  take  measures  for  receiving 
them.  I  shall  be  happy  to  have  it  in  my  power 
to  contribute  by  any  orders  I  can  give  towards 
supplying  your  troops  with  provisions,  or  any 
other  necessaries  which  may  promote  their  health 
or  accommodation,  and  in  every  instance  to  testify 
our  gratitude  to  your  nation  in  general,  and  your- 
self personally,  for  the  aid  you  have  brought  us 
on  the  present  emergency,  and  the  honor  to  be, 
with  the  greatest  esteem  and  respect,  Sir,  yours, 
etc.,  etc. 


TO  COLONEL  PICKERING. 

Richmond,  March  4,  1781. 
Sir, — I  am  very  sorry  that  the  appointment 
of  deputy  quarter-master  in  this  State  has  been 
so  managed  as  to  produce  difficulty.  You  will 
he  pleased  to  observe  that  after  I  wrote  to  Major 
Forsythe  to  know  whether  he  would  accept  of  it, 
I  waited  upwards  of  a  month  and  received  no 
answer.  The  business  of  transportation  suffered 
greatly  for  want  of  a  head  to  the  several  deputies, 
and  much  distressed  the  Southern  army.  At  the 
end  of  that  period  I  received  a  letter  from  Major 


Jefferson's  Works 


Forsythe  taking  no  notice  of  the  appointment  of 
deputy  quarter-master  which  had  been  tendered 
him,  and  showing  that  he  was  acting  under  a  new 
appointment  of  deputy  commissary-general  to  the 
Southern  army,  or  of  the  Southern  department, 
I  forget  which.  From  this  it  was  supposed  that 
he  declined  undertaking  the  office  of  deputy 
quarter-master,  and  the  papers  were  put  into 
the  hands  of  Baron  Steuben  and  a  new  appoint- 
ment made,  as  has  been  formerly  explained  to 
you.  At  the  time  we  proposed  Major  Forsythe 
as  deputy  quarter-master  his  former  office  of  deputy 
commissary  of  purchases  in  this  State  was  become 
a  nullity,  because  we  had  undertaken  to  provide 
by  agents  of  our  own,  the  specifics  required  by 
Congress,  which  were  to  be  delivered  to  store- 
keepers under  the  direction  of  the  quarter-master. 
There  was,  therefore,  nothing  to  be  done  by  a 
Continental  commissary  of  purchases  within  the 
State.  The  present  appointment,  however,  of 
Major  Forsythe  as  deputy  commissary-general  to 
the  Southern  army  will  require  his  attendance 
on  that  army,  will  occupy  his  time  fully  in  pro- 
curing provisions  to  subsist  the  army  during  the 
intervals,  which  the  irregularities  of  the  specific 
supplies  by  the  several  States  will  necessarily 
occasion,  and,  therefore,  seems  not  to  leave  it 
in  his  power  to  perform  the  duties  of  your  deputy 
in  this  State.  I  have  the  pleasure,  however,  to 
inform  you  that  Major  Forsythe  expresses  himself 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3X9 


perfectly  satisfied,  and  does  not  propose  to  urge 
a  right  to  the  appointment. 

Major  Claiborne  being  at  first  utterly  unknown 
to  me,  I  was  afraid  to  do  more  in  my  former  letter 
to  you  than  to  hand  to  you  what  was  said  of  him 
by  others.  The  duties  of  his  office,  giving  me 
daily  occasion  to  judge  of  him  from  my  own  obser- 
vation, I  think  he  is  exceedingly  attentive,  dis- 
creet, with  talents  not  inferior  to  the  office,  and 
upon  the  whole  that  he  will  give  you  satisfaction. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  Sir, 
yours,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  THE  HONORABLE  JUDGES  OF  THE  HIGH  COURT  OF 

CHANCERY. 

Richmond,  March  5,  1781. 
Sir, — The  Executive  (on  the  public  account) 
are  under  a  difficulty  which  will  be  sufficiently 
explained  by  the  within  paper.  You  will  perceive 
by  that  that  we  propose  to  refer  the  matter  to 
arbitration  in  another  State.  Nevertheless,  we 
suppose  the  only  question  which  occasions  a  doubt 
(that  is  whether  if  Mr.  Nathan  took  up  the  bills 
bona  fide,  as  he  alleges,  he  is  entitled  to  a  pay- 
ment in  hard,  money  at  par)  must  have  been  fre- 
quently decided,  and  in  such  case  we  should  be 
unwilling  to  show  such  ignorance  of  the  law  as 
to  require  an  award  on  a  clear  point.  I  am,  there- 
fore, desired  to  beg,  your  advice  on  that  point, 


320  Jefferson's  Works 


assuring  you  that  it  shall  not  come  in  question 
before  you  judicially.  If  you  shall  be  of  opinion 
that  we  ought  to  pay  at  par  we  shall  do  it;  if  you 
think  otherwise  it  shall  be  referred,  as  you  see 
by  the  papers,  has  been  agreed  on.  I  am  only 
to  trouble  you  further  for  an  immediate  answer, 
if  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  oblige  us.  I  am,  with 
very  great  esteem,  your  most  obedient  servant. 


TO  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES. 

In  Council,  March  9,  1781. 
Sir, — The  Executive  were  informed  during  the 
last  summer  or  fall,  that  the  Accomack  and  Diligence 
galleys  were  deserted  by  officers  and  men,  and 
left  open  to  be  plundered  of  their  guns  and  furniture. 
Orders  were  immediately  given  to  Commodore 
Baron  to  arrest  the  officers,  to  have  the  men  sought 
for  and  taken,  one  of  the  galleys  brought  round 
to  the  Bayside  of  the  eastern  shore  and  manned 
with  the  same  men  and  the  other  to  be  brought 
to  the  western  shore  to  be  repaired.  The  bay 
being  infested  with  privateers  at  that  time  pre- 
vented the  immediate  execution  of  the  orders, 
and  the  subsequent  invasions  which  took  place 
in  October  and  December  have  continued  the 
interruption  of  our  intercourse  with  that  shore. 
In  the  meantime  we  learn  that  the  vessels  have 
been  much  plundered,  and  their  hulls  so  injured 
as  to  render  it  doubtful  whether  worth  repairing. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  321 


We  have  taken,  and  shall  continue  to  pursue, 
measures  for  punishing  those  who  have  thus  abused 
the  public,  and  recovering  indemnification,  but 
should  it  be  not  expedient  to  dispose  of  the  hulls, 
the  sanction  of  the  general  assembly,  if  they 
approve  of  it,  would  be  necessary. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  GENERAL  MUHLENBERG. 

In  Council,  March  16,  1781. 

Sir, — We  have  thought  it  better  to  change  our 
line  of  expresses  from  hence  to  your  headquarters, 
and  make  it  across  the  river  at  Hood's.  Mr.  Kempe 
comes  down  with  sundry  articles  procured  at  the 
request  of  the  Marquis,  and  to  procure  others 
which  could  not  be  got  here.  These  you  will  be 
so  kind  as  to  have  taken  care  of  to  be  delivered 
to  the  particular  order  of  the  Marquis  when  he 
shall  arrive.  I  before  wrote  to  ask  the  favor  of 
you  to  take  measures  for  the  subsistence  and  safe 
custody  of  the  horses  procured  for  the  Marquis 
by  Mr.  Smith  or  his  agents. 

The  militia  who  were  first  called  into  service 
and  still  remain  are,  as  I  am  informed,  impatient 
to  be  relieved.  They  should  certainly  have  been 
relieved  before  this,  but  it  cannot  be  unknown 
to  them  that  an  enterprise  is  meditated,  which  may 
put  an  end,  in  some  measure,  to  the  necessity  of 
calling  them  from  their  homes  in  the  future.  I 

VOL.  XIX  21 


322  Jefferson's  Works 


think  that  a  successful  attempt  on  the  present 
army  in  Portsmouth  will  prevent  our  enemies 
from  ever  trusting  another  in  Chesapeake.  To 
change  the  whole  militia  at  such  a  crisis  would 
be  the  most  dangerous  operation  that  could  be 
attempted.  I  will  beg  you  to  assure  them  that 
the  moment  this  enterprise  is  over,  and  I  hope 
not  very  many  days  will  be  requisite,  a  relief  shall 
be  ready  to  take  their  places  if  a  relief  shall  be 
necessary.  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  fre- 
quently, and  am,  with  much  esteem,  Sir,  yours, 
etc.,  etc. 


TO  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES. 

•  In  Council,  March  17,  1781. 
Sir, — I  take  the  liberty  of  inclosing  to  the  general 
assembly,  the  within  proposition  from  Mr.  Ross, 
the  Continental  agent  for  the  State,  as  the  legis- 
lature alone  can  carry  it  into  effect,  should  it  meet 
with  approbation.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with 
very  great  respect,  Sir,  yours,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES. 

In  Council,  March  17,  1781. 
Sir, — The  inclosed  act  of  Congress  will  inform 
you  of  the  final  ratification  of  the  confederation 
of  thirteen  United  States  of  America.    I  beg  leave 
to   congratulate  the    general    assembly  on  this 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  323 


very  important  event,  by  which  a  firm  bond  of 
union  is  drawn  on  these  States,  our  friends  enabled 
to  report  confidence  in  our  engagements,  and  our 
enemies  deprived  of  their  only  remaining  hope.  I 
have  the  honor  to  be,  etc. 


TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY  THE  GOVERNOR  OF  HISPANIOLA. 

Richmond,  Virginia,  March  24,  1781. 
Sir, — Mr.  David  Ross,  commercial  agent  for  this 
State,  who,  as  such,  is  entrusted  with  the  exporta- 
tion of  commodities  on  the  public  account,  and 
information  of  necessaries  for  the  army,  dispatches 
a  vessel  for  the  island  over  which  your  Excellency 
presides. 

The  extreme  distress  of  this  State  for  arms  and 
military  stores,  and  the  unison  of  object  of  his 
most  Christian  Majesty  and  the  North  American 
States  in  the  present  war  against  Great  Britain, 
embolden  me  to  ask  your  Excellency's  permission 
to  the  agent  of  Mr.  Ross  to  purchase,  either  from 
private  or  public  stores  within  your  government, 
and  to  export  such  arms  and  military  stores  as 
the  proceeds  of  the  cargo  may  enable  him  to  purchase. 
Not  knowing  whether  the  regulations  of  your 
government  may  admit  this  without  your  per- 
mission, I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  troubling 
your  Excellency  with  this  application,  and  have 
the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  highest 


324  Jefferson's  Works 


respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most 
humble  servant. 


TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY  GOVERNOR  NASH. 

Richmond,  March  24,  1781. 
Sir, — The  situation  of  affairs  in  our  eastern  and 
southern  quarters  rendering  peace  on  our  western 
frontier  extremely  desirable,  the  general  assembly 
of  this  State,  by  a  resolution  which  I  do  myself 
the  honor  of  enclosing  to  your  Excellency,  have 
recommended  a  conciliation  with  the  Cherokees 
in  a  particular  manner.  Not  knowing  what  is 
the  present  situation  of  the  war  with  that  nation 
I  have  given  authority  to  Colonels  Preston  and 
Christian  and  Major  Martin  to  concur  with  any 
commissioners  whom  your  Excellency  may  think 
proper  to  authorize,  to  treat  on  the  subject  of 
peace,  whenever  a  proper  occasion  shall  offer. 
I  cannot  doubt  your  concurrence  in  opinion  that 
it  is  our  policy  to  discontinue  the  division  of  our 
western  militia  from  their  attention  to  the  Southern 
war.  Should  you  be  pleased  to  make  such  an 
appointment  on  your  part,  your  commissioners  will 
be  enabled  immediately  to  open  a  correspondence 
with  ours,  so  as  to  agree  on  circumstances,  lines 
and  places.  The  resolution  seems  to  suppose  some 
ground  of  complaint  to  exist  with  the  Cherokees 
as  to  their  boundary.  As  none  such  of  late  date 
have  come  to  my  knowledge,  I  could  only  assure 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  325 


the  commissioners  that  every  just  cause  of  com- 
plaint on  that  subject  should  be  removed  by  us 
as  far  as  this  State  is  concerned  in  it.  Better 
information  will  perhaps  enable  you  to  be  more 
precise  in  your  instructions  to  your  commissioners. 

I  had  the  honor  of  your  Excellency's  letter  of 
the  17th  instant  from  Granville  county.  I  have 
given  orders  to  our  commissary  to  instruct  his 
agents  in  Mecklenburg  and  Halifax  counties  to 
pursue  the  plan  your  Excellency  had  begun,  and 
to  avail  himself  in  the  fullest  manner  of  the  resource 
which  the  river  and  seasons  afford  us.  He  will 
send  out  salt  for  the  purpose  of  curing  what  fish 
can  be  taken  there.  He  apprehends  considerable 
difficulty  in  the  article  of  barrels. 

You  will,  no  doubt,  before  this  reaches  you, 
hear  of  the  arrival  of  twelve  British  ships  in  our 
bay,  under  Graves  and  Arbuthnot.  Seven  of  them 
are  of  the  line,  two  50's,  the  others  smaller.  They 
are  said  to  have  fallen  in  with  the  French  fleet 
destined  for  the  same  place  just  off  the  capes,  and 
to  have  had  a  partial  engagement  in  which  neither 
suffered  the  loss  of  a  ship  or  other  material  injury. 

I  apprehend  our  plans  against  Arnold  will  fall 
to  the  ground.    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


326  Jefferson's  Works 


to  general  greene. 

In  Council,  March  24,  1781. 
Sir, — I  do  myself  the  honor  of  inclosing  to  you 
some  resolutions  of  general  assembly  on  the  subject 
of  the  horses  procured  and  to  be  procured  for  the 
first  and  third  regiments  of  cavalry,  in  the  execution 
of  which  I  shall  need  your  assistance.  Repre- 
sentations were  made  by  the  conduct  of  the  persons 
who  were,  or  pretended  to  be,  entrusted  with  the 
execution  of  the  impress  warrants,  which  I  had 
inclosed  to  you,  very  unfavorably  to  them.  They 
are  said  to  have  transgressed  extremely,  not  only 
by  exceeding  the  tract  of  country  to  which  the 
warrants  were  restrained,  but  in  the  kind  of  horses 
on  which  they  seized.  This  produced  the  reso- 
lutions of  March  7th,  the  first  of  which  is  no  doubt 
become  unnecessary,  as  I  suppose  the  departure 
of  the  enemy  from  this  State,  and  their  present 
tendency  renders  nugatory,  warrants  which  were 
restrained  to  the  neighborhood  and  probable  route 
of  the  enemy.  I  should  otherwise  ask  the  favor 
of  you  to  issue  your  orders  for  the  discontinuance 
of  impresses  under  those  warrants  altogether.  The 
second  resolution  of  the  same  date  obliges  me  to 
trouble  you  with  ordering  the  several  persons 
who  have  been  employed  in  these  impresses  to 
make  a  report  of  their  proceedings  therein,  which 
may  be  done  by  way  of  calendar  under  these  heads, 
to  wit:    1  st  The  species  of  horse  impressed,  that 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  327 


is  whether  a  stone  horse,  gelding  or  brood  mare. 
2d.  A  description  by  the  size,  age,  and  general 
appearance,  which  latter  circumstance  I  would 
only  wish  to  have  designated  by  such  short  terms 
as  those  "fine,"  "  indifferent,"  etc.,  etc.  3d.  The 
sum  at  which  estimated.  4th.  Whose  property. 
5th.  In  what  county  inpressed.  6th.  By  whom 
impressed.    7th.    To  what  purpose  applied. 

This,  I  apprehend,  will  answer  most  of  the  pur- 
poses which  the  general  assembly  had  in  view. 
Should  there  have  been  any  other  circumstances 
in  the  conduct  of  these  gentlemen  which  would 
become  proper  subjects  of  enquiry,  they  can  only 
be  gathered  from  those  who  would  be  interested 
in  producing  them.  On  view  of  such  a  report 
yourself  also  will  be  enabled  to  judge  which  par- 
ticular horses,  according  to  the  same  resolution, 
must  be  returned  to  their  owners. 

Before  it  will  be  in  our  power  to  proceed  in  the 
execution  of  the  resolution  of  March  17th  I  must 
give  you  the  trouble  of  procuring  me  information 
what  number  of  horses  will  be  wanting  to  fill  up 
the  two  regiments  after  withdrawing  such  of  the 
impress  horses  as  are,  by  the  resolution  before 
mentioned,  to  be  returned.  It  would  be  the  wish 
of  the  Executive  to  appropriate  a  certain  portion 
of  the  money  for  the  purchase  of  these,  and  that 
this  should  be  laid  out  by  persons  of  your  own 
appointment  if  it  would  be  agreeable  to  you.  I  am, 
etc.,  etc. 


3*8  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

In  Council,  March  28,  1781. 

Sir, — Colonel  Senf  handed  me  a  list  of  entrench- 
ing tools  and  other  necessaries  for  the  operations 
against  Portsmouth.  Notwithstanding  present 
appearances,  I  shall  have  them  proceed.  I  appre- 
hend we  shall  be  obliged  to  have  many  of  them 
made  at  Fredericksburg. 

Mr.  Walker  delivered  me  your  wish  to  have 
seamen  procured  for  manning  the  armed  vessels. 
I  know  of  no  method  of  effecting  this  but  by  draught- 
ing from  the  lower  militia  such  men  as  are  used 
to  the  water.  Should  this  weaken  the  body  of 
militia  too  much  we  can  have  them  reinforced 
by  other  militia,  but  perhaps  the  arrival  of  the 
fleet  and  transports  of  the  enemy  may  have  rendered 
our  plans  against  Portsmouth  desperate;  in  which 
case  economy  would  require  the  immediate  dis- 
charge of  the  private  vessels  now  retained  at  the 
expense  and  risk.  I  shall  discharge  all  of  them 
except  the  three  largest,  and  as  to  them  await 
your  opinion.  Captain  Maxwell  is  at  present, 
and  for  some  time  will  be,  at  the  shipyard  on  Chick- 
ahominy  endeavoring  to  withdraw  the  vessels  and 
stores  from  that  place  into  James  river.  He  will 
there  receive  any  others  you  may  wish  to  have 
executed  within  the  naval  department.  When  he 
shall  have  effected  the  business  on  which  he  is 
there  engaged,  I  will  take  care  to  make  known 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  329 


to  you  the  station  he  takes,  and  that  it  be  con- 
venient to  your  situation. 

We  are  now  calling  for  militia  as  stated  below, 
to  relieve  those  who  have  had  so  very  long  a  tour. 
They  will  probably  begin  to  come  in  within  a  fort- 
night, and  be  all  in  within  four  weeks.  These 
of  the  counties  of  Loudoun,  Fauquier,  Prince  William, 
Fairfax,  Spotsylvania,  Caroline  and  Culpeper,  some 
of  whom  are  already  in  and  some  coming  under 
calls  issued  some  little  time  ago  are  meant  to  be 
retained,  and  with  those  stated  below  to  constitute 
the  force  of  the  ensuing  two  or  three  months.  We 
are  the  more  anxious  to  relieve  the  militia  who 
have  been  so  long  in  the  field  because,  during 
their  absence  the  act  for  raising  new  levies  is  sus- 
pended in  their  counties 

Captain  Reid's  troop  of  horse  is  just  arrived 
here  from  guarding  the  Saratoga  prisoners,  in 
which  business  it  has  been  employed  for  eighteen 
months  past.  They  came  under  an  order  which 
was  meant  to  carry  them  into  immediate  service 
below,  but  Captain  Reid  reports  them  to  me  as 
totally  unfit  for  service  from  poverty,  sore  back 
and  broken  saddles.  I,  therefore,  have  thought 
it  best  to  send  them  to  Port  Royal  to  refit,  as 
there  is  at  that  place  a  plenty  of  forage  which 
cannot  be  brought  forward  for  the  use  of  either 
army,  and  they  will  be  convenient  to  Fredericks- 
burg where  their  equipments  may  be  effected. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inclose  you  a  letter  of 


33°  Jefferson's  Works 


the  23d,  from  General  Greene,  and  am,  with  sen- 
timents of  the  highest  respect  and  esteem,  Sir, 
yours,  etc.,  etc., 


Hampshire . 
Shenandoah 
Orange 
Louisa 
Essex  


242    Berkeley   250 

257    Frederick   267 

140    Stafford   113 

140    King  George  .  .  114 

107   

1598 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

In  Council,  April  3,  1871. 
Sir, — No  term  having  been  fixed  by  the  Executive 
for  the  service  of  the  militia,  I  do  not  know  whence 
it  could  have  been  collected  that  it  was  within 
ten  days  of  expiring.  Nevertheless  it  is  most 
certain  they  would  have  been  relieved  long  e'er 
this  had  it  not  been  for  the  enterprise  meditated 
against  Portsmouth.  It  was  thought  too  danger- 
ous to  change  the  whole  body  of  militia  at  that 
critical  juncture.  The  moment  that  object  was 
laid  aside  we  called  for  militia  from  the  counties 
named  in  the  margin,  who  with  those  before  called 
from  Loudoun,  Fauquier,  Fairfax,  Prince  William, 
Spotsylvania,  Caroline  and  Culpeper  were  intended 
to  constitute  the  force  acting  in  the  field  the  succeed- 
ing two  or  three  months,  discharging  all  others 
as  fast  as  they  should  come  in.    From  these  calls 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       33 1 


we  expected  twenty-seven  hundred  men,  the 
number  you  had  desired  to  keep  up  while 
nothing  offensive  was  meditated.  Of  all  this  we 
gave  notice  to  the  Marquis  Lafayette,  the  then 
commanding  officer.  Considering  the  unusually  long 
tour  the  riflemen  and  other  militia  below  have 
served,  I  think  every  acknowledgment  of  their 
patient  service  just,  and  every  encouragement 
necessary  to  keep  them  contentedly  till  the  arrival 
of  the  reliefs  ordered  from  the  counties  in  the 
margin.  I  suppose  we  are  not  to  expect  the  men 
till  the  middle  of  the  month,  and  that  it  will  be 
the  last  of  the  month  before  all  get  in.  We  take 
for  granted  you  will  be  pleased  always  to  notify 
the  executive  the  number  of  men  you  think  requisite 
in  the  field,  which  may  enable  them  to  give  orders 
for  them  on  the  proper  counties,    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


Hampshire  . 
Berkeley .  .  . 
Frederick  .  . 
Shenandoah 
Orange 


242    Stafford   113 

250    Louisa    140 

267    King  George.  .  .  114 

217    Essex   107 

140   

1598 


TO  GENERAL  MUHLENBERG. 

In  Council,  April  3,  1781. 

Sir, — The  men  under  your  command  who  have 
been  in  the  field  from  the  beginning  of  the  invasion, 


332  Jefferson's  Works 


having  served  a  tcur  of  duty  unusually  long,  I 
am  anxious  to  have  them  satisfied  of  the  accidents 
which  have  as  yet  prevented  their  relief.  Others 
would  have  been  ordered  in  their  places  long  e'er 
this,  had  it  not  been  for  the  enterprise  meditated 
against  Portsmouth.  The  changing  the  whole 
militia  was  thought  too  dangerous  an  operation 
at  that  critical  time.  They  know  the  circum- 
stances which  occasioned  this  enterprise  to  be 
laid  aside.  The  moment  the  arrival  of  a  reinforce- 
ment to  the  enemy  obliged  us  to  discontinue  our 
intentions,  a  body  of  militia  was  called  for  to  relieve 
them,  from  the  counties  which  had  not  yet  been 
in  service.  I  state  to  you  in  the  margin1  the  whole 
of  them.  The  six  counties  first  named  were  called 
on  to  aid  the  operations  against  Portsmouth.  It 
was  meant,  however,  that  they  shall  be  kept  with 
the  nine  last  named  to  serve  a  full  tour  and  con- 
stitute the  opposing  force,  discharging  all  others 
as  fast  as  these  came  in,  and  first  those  which  have 
been  longest  in  the  field.  I  must  solicit  your 
most  exact  attention  to  the  return  of  all  public 
arms  and  accoutrements  and  ammunition  put  into 
the  hands  of  militia,  whenever  they  shall  be 
discharged.  No  man  should  be  discharged  till 
he  does  this  or  gives  a  satisfactory  account  of 
their  loss  or  expenditure. 

Loudoun,  168;  Fauquier,  292;  Fairfax,  200;  Prince  William,  185; 
Spotsylvania,  120;  Caroline,  260;  Culpeper,  352;  Hampshire,  242; 
Berkeley,  258;  Frederick,  267;  Shenandoah,  217;  Orange,  140;  Staf- 
ford, 113  ;  Louisa,  140;  King  George,  114;  Essex,  107 — 3075. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  3J3 


I  think  myself  very  particularly  obliged  to 
acknowledge  the  patient  service  of  those  who 
have  been  so  long  from  home,  and  am  anxious 
that  they  should  know  that  this  has  not  proceeded 
from  any  previous  intention  in  government,  but 
from  the  circumstances  before  explained.  I  hope 
they  will  be  relieved  in  a  very  few  days,  and  that 
in  the  meantime  they  will  fill  up  the  measure  of 
merit  by  continuing  to  restrain  the  excursions  of 
the  enemy  till  others  can  come  to  succeed  to  those 
duties.  I  beg  leave  to  have  these  matters  particu- 
larly explained  to  Colonel  Matthews  and  Bouyer, 
and  through  them  to  their  men,  who,  I  believe, 
have  been  longest  from  home.    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

In  Council,  April  6,  1781. 
Sir, — The  Executive  have  had  it  much  at  heart 
to  prevent,  as  far  as  possible,  interruption  in 
raising  the  new  levies  while  they  were  constrained 
to  bring  a  number  of  militia  into  the  field.  For 
this  reason  about  one-half  of  the  counties  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  State  were  not  called  on  for 
militia  till  they  had  time  to  go  through  their  draught. 
This  being  done  by  them,  they  have  been  all  of 
them  (except  those  laying  much  exposed  on  the 
bay  and  lower  parts  of  the  rivers)  required  to 
send  one-fourth  of  their  militia  to  relieve  those 
of  the  southern  counties  now  in  the  field. 


334  Jefferson's  Works 


Those  amounted  but  to  the  number  of  three 
thousand  and  seventy -five,  and  we  had  wished 
as  soon  as  they  could  be  in,  and  the  southern  counties 
discharged,  to  set  those  southern  counties  to  raising 
their  new  levies,  and  leave  them  undisturbed  during 
that  operation,  which  would  employ  them  two 
months.  This  plan  has,  however,  been  broken 
on  by  a  requisition  from  General  Greene  of  fifteen 
hundred  militia,  which  obliged  us  to  call  on  eleven 
of  those  counties.  Anxious  as  we  are  to  favor  the 
raising  the  new  levies  we  would  not  sacrifice  to  it  the 
manifest  safety  of  the  State,  and  will,  therefore, 
call  for  from  them  any  number  of  militia  you  shall 
think  requisite  to  act  defensively  in  this  State. 

Major  Nelson's  third  troop  came  here,  and  Captain 
Reid  reported  them  totally  unfit  for  service,  from 
poverty,  sore  backs,  etc.  I,  therefore,  ordered 
them  to  Port  Royal  to  recruit  their  horses  and 
to  have  their  equipments  repaired  at  Fredericks- 
burg, of  which  I  informed  the  Marquis  Fayette. 
Perhaps  the  quarter-master  in  that  quarter  might 
best  judge  whether  Armand's  corps  could  be  accom- 
modated and  fed  there  also,  or  whether  there 
be  any  better  place  in  his  district.    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  MAJOR-GENERAL  NATHANAEL  GREENE. 

In  Council,  April  5,  1781. 
Sir, — It  was  formerly  usual  to  require  from 
the  Continental  staff  officers  in  this  State,  warrants 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  335 


from  Congress  for  all  moneys  advanced  to  them. 
Since  the  war  has  been  transferred  to  the  south- 
ward, the  calls  for  money  have  been  so  apparently 
indispensable  that  we  could  not  await  warrants 
from  Congress  as  had  been  before  practised  on 
draughts  from  yourself  or  Major  General  Gates, 
to  whom  authority  to  draw  for  money  was  given. 
Nevertheless  we  think  it  essential  to  obtain  your 
sanction  of  the  moneys  after  payment  of  them, 
for  which  purpose  I  take  the  liberty  of  troubling 
you  with  Major  Claiborne's  receipt  for  some  moneys 
from  the  State,  which  were  ordered  without  any 
previous  authority  from  a  sense  of  their  necessity. 

It  is  not  in  our  power  to  produce  you  the  £5,000 
hard  money  which  you  desired,  but  we  have  put 
into  the  hands  of  Major  Claiborne  a  warrant  for 
half  a  million  of  pounds  current  money  to  be  liable 
to  your  order  only.  Perhaps  you  can  find  means 
to  have  the  hard  money  purchased  in  Philadelphia 
for  money  to  be  paid  here. 

That  you  may  form  some  idea  of  the  indiscretions 
which  have  occasioned  a  dissatisfaction  in  the 
impresses  of  horses,  I  inclose  you  copies  of  two 
papers  lodged  with  me  against  a  Mr.  Rudder 
employed  in  that  business.  Instead  of  soothing 
the  minds  of  the  people,  and  softening  the  harsh 
act  of  taking  their  valuable  horses  by  force,  it 
has  been  frequently  accompanied,  as  we  are  informed, 
by  defiances  of  the  civil  power,  and  circumstances 
of  personal  irritation. 


336  Jefferson's  Works 


As  tedious  as  is  the  operation  of  reasoning  with 
every  individual  on  whom  we  are  obliged  to  exercise 
disagreeable  powers,  yet  free  people  think  they 
have  a  right  to  an  explanation  of  the  circumstances 
which  give  rise  to  the  necessity  under  which  they 
suffer.  Such  has  been  the  general  irritation  under 
these  impresses  that  we  have  been  obliged  to 
authorize  the  county  lieutenants  to  restrain  them 
under  the  directions  of  the  resolutions  of  the 
assembly  I  formerly  inclosed  you.    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  COLONEL  HENRY  LEE. 

In  Council,  April  13,  1781. 

Sir, — I  am  exceedingly  sorry  to  hear  that  the 
counties  on  Potomac  are  so  much  harassed  by 
the  enemy,  and  am  very  apprehensive  it  will  con- 
tinue some  time  until  our  allies  can  clear  us  of 
them,  which  I  hope  and  expect. 

The  act  of  assembly  referred  to  in  your  letter 
as  authorizing  the  Executive  to  raise  militia  cavalry, 
only  gave  that  authority  where  there  was  reason 
to  apprehend  a  meeting  against  the  late  draught. 
Upon  this  apprehension  we  authorized  the  raising 
a  troop  for  the  two  counties  of  Northumberland 
and  Lancaster,  and  nowhere  else.  We  wish  ex- 
ceedingly that  we  had  a  power  of  doing  it,  because 
it  would  be  the  most  effective  protection  to  the 
exposed  counties  which  could  be  given  them  by 
land.    All  we  can  venture  to  do  is,  if  you  can 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  337 


make  ase  of  a  party  of  militia  not  exceeding  the 
number  of  a  troop  as  mounted  infantry,  finding 
their  own  horses,  we  may  order  forage  to  be  found 
them  while  on  actual  duty,  but  in  every  other 
respect  they  must  be  considered  as  militia  for 
this  purpose.  I  inclose  you  an  order  to  Mr.  McMillan, 
deputy  to  Mr.  Brown  in  your  county.  I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  April  14,  1781. 
Sir, — As  so  much  of  the  subject  of  Colonel  Davies' 
letter  as  relates  to  the  conduct  of  the  Continental 
issuing  commissary  general  in  this  State  lies  within 
your  powers  of  reformation  altogether,  I  take  the 
liberty  of  handing  on  the  letter  to  you.  It  is 
very  interesting  to  us  that  the  provisions  issued 
for  Continental  use  be  issued  to  persons  authorized 
to  give  proper  vouchers  for  debiting  the  continent, 
and  I  entertain  no  doubt  but  that  you  will  be  so 
kind  as  to  have  this  branch  of  business  so  arranged. 
In  the  meantime  it  might  have  an  ill  effect  to 
stop  the  issue  at  so  early  a  day  as  the  one  proposed, 
as  within  that  space  it  might  not  perhaps  be  prac- 
ticable to  have  the  necessary  arrangements  made. 
I  also  inclose  you  copies  of  letters  just  come  to 
hand  from  the  President  of  Congress.  I  wish 
this  intelligence  may  not  stop  the  Pennsylvania 
Line,  and  leave  General  Greene  to  depend  still  on 
this  State  and  Maryland  alone.    As  to  ourselves, 

VOL.  XIX  2  2 


338  Jefferson's  Works 


it  is  our  wish  to  act  on  the  defensive  only  in  this 
State,  and  not  to  stop  a  single  regular  till  General 
Greene  should  be  made  sufficiently  superior  to 
his  enemy.    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 

P.  S.  I  think  in  conversation  you  mentioned 
that  you  should  store  the  spare  arms  and  military 
stores  from  General  Muhlenberg's  camp  at  Prince 
George  Court  House.  As  the  depredations  of  the 
enemy  on  Potomac  have  stopped  a  considerable 
part  of  the  militia  we  had  relied  on  to  reinforce 
General  Muhlenberg,  so  that  we  are  obliged  to 
call  on  other  counties,  he  will  probably  continue 
some  time  too  weak  to  oppose  the  enemy.  This 
seems  to  render  it  essential  that  the  stores  above- 
mentioned  be  withdrawn  out  of  reach. 

Prince  George  Court  House  being  but  four  miles 
from  the  river,  I  submit  it  to  you  whether,  on 
the  prospect  of  our  reinforcements  being  tardy, 
a  more  interior  situation  would  not  be  better. 


TO  THE  COUNTY  LIEUTENANTS  OF  FAUQUIER,  LOUDOUN, 
CAROLINE,  ALBEMARLE,  FLUVANNA,  GOOCHLAND, 
AND  HENRICO. 

Richmond,  April  14,  1781. 

Sir, — I  am  to  desire  you  to  send  of  your 

militia  under  proper  officers,  with  such  good  arms 
as  they  have,  and  especially  rifles,  to  rendezvous 
at  Williamsburg  on  the  first  day  of  May,  and  to 
continue  in  service  two  months  from  the  time  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  339 


their  getting  to  the  rendezvous.  As  circumstances 
may  render  it  necessary  to  change  the  rendezvous, 
you  will  be  pleased  to  order  them  by  the  way  of 
 where  they  will  receive  final  orders  on  that  head. 

You  are  at  liberty  to  deduct  from  the  above 
number  any  delinquents  whom  you  may  send 
with  them  under  sentence  to  serve  six  months 
or  any  longer  time  for  having  failed  to  obey  former 
calls,  or  deserting  from  duty.  Should  any  indi- 
viduals you  shall  call  for  fail  to  attend  at  the  time 
you  appoint  for  their  meeting  in  your  county,  so 
as  to  ascertain  a  deficiency  in  the  above  number, 
you  will  be  pleased  immediately  to  call  for  that 
deficiency  from  the  next  divisions,  and  will  take 
measures  for  sentencing  and  sending  on  such  new 
delinquents  for  six  months,  and  so  from  time  to 
time  on  every  call.    I  am,  etc.,  etc. 

P.  S.  to  the  letters  to  Fauquier  and  Loudoun. — 
Your  men  now  in  the  field  below  are  to  be  discharged 
the  moment  those  above  called  for  arrive  there. 

P.  S.  to  the  letter  to  Goochland. — You  will  also 
be  pleased  to  deduct  from  the  above  number  the 
forty  men  furnished  by  your  county  to  guard 
prisoners  to  Winchester. 

P.  S.  to  the  letter  to  Henrico. — You  will  be 
pleased  to  deduct  from  the  above  number  so  many 
men  as  you  have  furnished  within  those  two  months 
as  guards,  etc.,  for  which  we  promised  you  a  credit, 
excepting  those  also  who  having  been  appointed 
to  guard  the  boats,  deserted  and  left  them. 


34° 


Jefferson's  Works 


Fauquier. 
Albemarle. 
Goochland 
Caroline  .  . 


252  Loudoun 
204  Fluvanna 
129    Henrico.  . 


407 
70 

i45 


245 


TO  THE  HONORABLE  RICHARD  HENRY  LEE. 

Richmond,  April  16,  1781. 

Sir, — We  are  very  sorry  that  it  is  out  of  our 
power  to  furnish  you  with  cartridge  paper  and 
lead.  The  former  article  has  been  entirely  exhausted 
from  our  magazines  by  the  Southern  and  Eastern 
armies.  Your  express  receives  five  hundred  flints, 
and  should  have  had  powder  but  that  we  think 
it  better  you  should  purchase  the  two  or  three 
barrels  you  propose  and  draw  on  the  Executive 
for  payment,  which  shall  be  made. 

The  returns  of  military  stores  having  been  lost 
we  do  not  know,  by  recollection,  that  there  are 
either  ball  or  grape-shot  belonging  to  the  public 
at  Fredericksburg:  if  there  be  and  you  can  inform 
me  of  it,  and  in  the  meantime  prevail  on  the  person 
in  whose  possession  it  is  to  deliver  a  proper  quantity 
to  you,  I  will  send  him  the  approbation  of  the  Execu- 
tive, or  if  you  can  buy  we  will  pay  for  it.  Our 
last  news  from  the  south  was  of  the  sixth  instant 
when  Lord  Cornwallis  was  near  Wilmington  and 
General  Greene  setting  out  on  his  march  from 
Deep  river  for  South  Carolina. 

Phillips  commands  in  Portsmouth,  his  whole 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  34* 


force  twenty-five  hundred.  I  think  you  may  rely 
from  the  intelligence  we  have  had  that  no  land 
force  from  thence  in  the  vessels  are  distressing  at 
Potomac. 

P.  S.    The  advertisement  shall  be  published. 

TO  GENERAL  MUHLENBERG. 

Richmond,  April  16,  1781. 

Sir,— I  have  duly  received  the  letter  of  the  7th 
instant  from  Mr.  Constable,  written  by  command 
from  you,  and  am  sorry  to  hear  of  your  indisposition, 
which  I  hope  this  will  find  you  relieved  from.  I 
expect  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  from  Culpeper 
have  joined  you  before  this  date.  They  are  to 
continue  till  the  14th  of  June. 

The  militia  from  Frederick,  Hampshire,  Berkeley, 
Shenandoah,  Orange  and  Louisa  ought  now  to  be 
coming  in,  and  are  to  continue  till  the  last  of  June 
with  a  right  to  retain  them  a  week  longer  to  await 
reliefs.  We  have,  by  letters  sent  by  express  yester- 
day, called  militia  as  follows:  Fauquier  252, 
Loudoun  407,  Caroline  245,  Albemarle  204,  Flu- 
vanna 70,  Goochland  89,  Henrico  about  100,  who 
are  required  to  be  in  the  field  May  1st,  and  to  con- 
tinue there  till  the  last  day  of  June  or  7th  of  July, 
if  the  reliefs  should  not  arrive  sooner.  We  are 
thus  endeavoring  to  get  our  militia  to  a  fixed  term 
of  two  months  in  the  field  to  be  relieved  all  together 
between  this  and  the  1st  of  May. 


342  Jefferson's  Works 


I  cannot  but  apprehend  dangers  which  are  not 
in  our  power  to  prevent.  So  slow  are  the  militia 
in  moving  that  none  newly  called  could  be  expected 
sooner  than  those  from  Frederick,  Hampshire, 
Berkeley,  Shenandoah,  Orange  and  Louisa  who 
were  called  for  March  27th. 

The  embarkation  from  New  York  under  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  is  pretty  certainly  known  to  be 
destined  to  take  post  at  New  Castle  on  Delaware. 
I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  JOHN  PAGE. 

In  Council,  April  18,  1781. 

Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  13th  desiring  a 
suspension  of  the  act  for  raising  new  levies  has 
been  duly  received  and  laid  before  the  board. 

They  think  they  cannot  with  any  propriety  sus- 
pend an  act  after  the  terms  are  all  past  by  which 
it  should  have  been  carried  into  execution.  It 
would  only  answer  the  end  of  a  remission  of  penalties, 
which  would  be  an  abuse  of  the  suspending  power 
given  them  by  the  latter  act.  The  circumstances 
which  produced  that  law  were  that  the  militia 
of  half  of  the  State  had  been  called  from  counties 
on  the  invasion  on  very  distant  and  long  services. 
The  neglect  of  the  commissioners  which  had  pre- 
vented the  assessment  from  being  returned  is  a 
reason  which,  as  it  did  not  enter  the  ideas  of  the 
legislature,  could  by  no  means  justify  us  in  sus- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  343 

pending  the  law.  Under  these  circumstances  I 
should  suppose  it  best  to  take  up  the  law  as  soon 
as  they  shall  have  done  their  duty  and  get  through 
it  as  soon  as  you  can.  The  men  are  exceedingly 
wanting  indeed,  and  if  not  produced  generally 
as  we  had  a  right  to  expect,  it  will  be  impossible 
for  us  to  enable  General  Greene  to  prevent  his 
antagonist  from  treading  back  his  steps.  I  am, 
etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

In  Council,  April  20,  1781. 
Sir, — I  take  the  liberty  of  inclosing  to  you  a  letter 
to  Major-General  Phillips  with  the  determination 
of  the  Board  of  War  as  to  the  British  flag- vessel 
with  necessaries  for  the  convention  prisoners, 
which  I  will  ask  the  favor  of  you  to  forward  by 
flag.  I  presume  it  is  necessary  prudence  to  put 
an  officer  and  pilot  of  our  own  on  board.  This 
has  been  the  practice  here  and  if  you  approve 
of  it  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  appoint  an  officer 
to  this  service.  The  inclosed  letter  to  Commodore 
Barron  the  officer  will  take  with  him  for  the  pur- 
pose of  obtaining  a  pilot.  I  inclose  you  copies 
of  letters  which  have  this  moment  come  to  hand. 
We  can  arm  about  two  hundred  militia  here.  The 
rest  must  depend  on  the  arms  which  have  been 
given  in  by  the  discharged  militia.  You  will  be 
so  good  as  to  give  orders  on  this  subject,  accom- 


344  Jefferson's  Works 


modated  to  the  several  places  of  their  rendezvous, 
and  determining  whether  the  arms  shall  be  brought 
to  the  men,  or  they  marched  to  the  arms.  I  am, 
etc.,  etc. 


TO  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Richmond,  April  23,  1781. 
Sir, — I  had  the  pleasure  yesterday  to  receive 
your  favor  of  the  17th  instant,  and  am  very  happy 
that  the  Southern  States  are  to  have  the  benefit 
of  your  aid.  On  the  18th  instant  the  enemy  came 
from  Portsmouth,  and  (as  in  the  following  letter 
to  the  President  of  Congress  to  the  words  Little 
River  on  the  nth)  we  still  consider  his  as  the  inter- 
esting scene  of  action  to  us.  As  long  as  we  can  keep 
him  superior  to  his  antagonist  we  have  little  to 
fear  in  this  country;  whenever  he  shall  be  obliged 
to  retire  before  Lord  Cornwallis  and  to  bring  him 
also  into  this  State  our  situation  will  become  dan- 
gerous. North  as  well  as  South  Carolina,  being 
once  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  may  become  the 
instruments  of  our  subjugation,  and  effect  what 
the  enemy  themselves  cannot.  The  British  force 
may  harass  and  distress  us  greatly,  but  the 
Carolinas  alone  can  subdue  us.  The  militia  of 
North  is  very  nearly  as  numerous  as  that  of  this 
State.  Out  of  that  our  enemy  will  be  able  to 
raise  great  armies.  We,  therefore,  think  it  our 
first  interest  to  keep  them  under  in  that  quarter, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  345 


considering  the  war  in  our  own  country  but  as  a 
secondary  object.  For  this  reason  we  mean  to 
send  our  new  levies  for  the  regular  army  to  General 
Greene  as  fast  as  they  shall  be  raised,  acting  with 
our  militia  on  the  defensive  only,  in  this  State. 

I  shall  do  myself  the  pleasure  of  communicating 
further  to  you  the  future  movements  of  the  enemy 
with  us,  and  occurrances  to  the  southward  also, 
as  far  as  they  shall  become  known  to  me.  I  am, 
etc.,  etc. 


TO   THE   PRESIDENT   OF   THE   BOARD   OF  WAR. 

In  Council,  April  23,  1781. 
Sir, — Colonel  Wood  has  applied  to  us  to  take 
measures  for  furnishing  provisions  and  building 
barracks  for  the  convention  prisoners  at  Winchester. 
Neither  of  these  can  be  effected  without  consider- 
able sums  of  money,  either  advanced  or  to  be 
paid  within  some  reasonable  time,  and  I  am  sorry 
to  be  obliged  to  inform  you  it  is  not  in  our  power 
to  do  either.  Such  are  the  calls  on  us  for  money 
for  the  Southern  army  and  for  the  army  in  our 
county,  that  our  efforts  are  exhausted  in  complying 
with  a  part  only  of  these,  and  I  am  firmly  per- 
suaded that  could  our  advances  and  exertions 
for  the  continent  be  stated  to  you,  you  would 
be  sensible  that  no  call  either  for  men,  money 
or  provisions  on  account  of  these  prisoners  should 
be  made  on  us.    While  we  were  in  tolerable  quiet, 


346  Jefferson's  Works 


and  our  neighbors  under  difficulties,  we  cheerfully 
took  on  us  the  support  and  guard  of  these  troops; 
but  when  we  have  a  war  on  our  western,  southern 
and  eastern  quarters,  which  keeps  our  existence 
in  daily  question,  we  cannot  withdraw  from  that 
a  single  exertion,  nor  deceive  you  by  giving  you 
a  hope — a  hope  of  our  being  able  to  support  these 
prisoners  in  which  we  should  surely  fail.  I  am, 
etc.,  etc. 


TO  BARON  STEUBEN. 

Richmond,  April  26,  1781. 
Sir, — An  officer  from  Cumberland,  having  called 
on  me  this  morning,  to  direct  what  should  be  done 
with  his  unarmed  men,  I  took  the  liberty  by  him, 
of  stating  to  you  the  order  in  which  I  thought 
the  militia  should  be  discharged.  I  did  this  hastily 
while  he  was  waiting,  and  must  now,  on  more 
mature  reflection,  beg  leave  to  correct  in  some 
degree,  what  I  then  wrote,  and  to  take  up  the  whole 
subject. 

One-fourth  of  the  militia  of  the  counties  of  Fau- 
quier, Loudoun,  Caroline,  Albemarle,  Fluvanna, 
Goochland,  Henrico,  Culpeper,  Frederick,  Hamp- 
shire, Berkeley,  Shenandoah,  Orange  and  Louisa, 
are  still  relied  on  for  the  service  of  May  and  June, 
as  I  informed  you  in  a  letter  of  the  19th  intsant, 
as  is  also  Spotsylvania,  which  at  the  time  of  writing 
that  letter  we  expected  would  have  been  stopped 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  347 


by  the  enemy's  going  up  Potomac.  These  not 
being  come  in,  and  the  enemy  approaching,  we 
called  for  the  whole  of  Prince  George,  Dinwiddie, 
Chesterfield,  Powhatan,  Henrico,  Hanover,  Gooch- 
land and  half  of  Cumberland  and  Amelia,  to  form 
an  opposition  until  the  counties  first  named  should 
get  in.  Whenever,  therefore,  the  business  of  dis- 
charging may  be  commenced,  the  following  is  the 
order  in  which  we  would  wish  discharges  to  be 
given:  First,  Prince  George,  Dinwiddie,  and  Ches- 
terfield, because  exposed  and  their  draught  not 
over;  next,  Powhatan,  because  somewhat  exposed, 
and  their  draught  not  over ;  then  Cumberland,  Amelia 
and  Hanover,  because  their  draught  is  not  over, 
lastly,  Henrico  and  Goochland,  except  the  fourth- 
men  to  be  kept  during  the  months  of  May  and  June. 

I  must  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  consider  this 
as  altogether  superseding  my  first  letter  of  this 
date  on  the  same  subject.  It  is  possible  that  a 
change  of  position  by  the  enemy,  by  exposing 
counties  now  considered  as  safe,  and  rendering 
those  safe  which  are  now  exposed,  may  induce 
a  change  in  this  arrangement.  Should  this  happen, 
I  will  take  the  liberty  of  noting  it  to  you. 

I  am  very  sorry  that  we  have  discharged  several 
hundreds  of  the  Hanover  militia  before  we  had 
considered  the  subject,  and  settled  the  order  in 
which  discharges  should  be  given.  As  it  has  so 
happened,  we  think  it  better  not  to  recall  them. 
I  am,  etc.,  etc. 


34S       .       Jefferson's  Works 


TO  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Richmond,  May  6,  1781. 

Sir, — Two  persons  have  applied  to  me  on  behalf 
of  a  certain  John  Allison,  citizen,  under  confine- 
ment, as  they  say,  at  camp  for  some  offence. 

Though  perfectly  satisfied  that  nothing  will  be 
done  under  your  order  but  what  is  right,  and  assur- 
ing them  of  the  same,  yet  I  have  not  been  able 
to  get  clear  of  their  solicitation  without  a  letter 
from  you,  asking  a  favor  of  a  communication  of 
the  case  and  proceedings  before  any  punishment 
should  take  place.  I  am  sorry  to  add  this  to  the 
many  troubles  you  have,  but  they  have  urged  it 
to  me  on  the  footing  of  duty  so  as  to  put  it  out 
of  my  power  to  decline  it.  I  have  the  favor,  etc., 
etc. 


TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY  GENERAL  WASHINGTON  AND  THE 
HONORABLE  VIRGINIA  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 

In  Council,  May  10,  1781. 

Sir, — The  papers  of  the  Executive  having  been 
almost  wholly  lost  in  the  visit  which  was  made  by 
General  Arnold  to  this  place,  we  are  endeavoring 
to  procure  copies  of  as  many  of  them  as  we  can. 
As  the  correspondence  with  lyour  Excellency  is 
among  the  most  important,  I  am  to  solicit  the 
favor  of  you  to  permit  the  bearer  hereof,  Mr.  Gran- 

1  Congress. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  349 


ville  Smith,  to  take  copies  of  any  letters  with  which 
lyou  have  been  pleased  to  honor  the  Executive,  or 
have  received  from  them  previous  to  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  year.  Besides  the  general 
importance  of  preserving  the  memorial  of  public 
events,  it  is  natural  for  those  who  have  had  a  share 
in  the  administration  to  wish  that  under  every 
possible  circumstance  the  records  of  their  pro- 
ceedings may  guard  them  against  misrepresentation 
or  mistake.  Mr.  Smith  has  been  particularly  chosen 
to  execute  this  office  because  of  his  approved  dis- 
cretion, and  we  think  ourselves  safe  in  assuring 
you  that  he  may  confidentially  be  relied  on.  I 
have,  etc.,  etc. 

In  the  letter  to  the  Delegates  alter  as  in  the 
margin. 


TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY  PRESIDENT  REID. 

Charlottesville,  May  22,  1781. 
Sir, — Your  Excellency's  favor  of  the  6th  instant 
came  to  hand  yesterday.  The  movement  of  the 
enemy  since  I  did  myself  the  honor  of  writing  to 
your  Excellency  on  the  subject  of  our  joint  boundary, 
having  rendered  it  necessary,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
general  assembly,  for  them  to  adjourn  to  this  place; 
the  Executive  have,  of  course,  come  hither  for  a 
time;  this  has  placed  us  at  a  great  distance  from 
Mr.  Madison  and  Mr.  Andrews,  two  of  the  com- 

1  They  or  you. 


35°  Jefferson's  Works 


missioners  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  running 
the  boundary.  These  gentlemen  also  unfortu- 
nately reside  in  Washington,  a  place  supposed  to 
be  an  object  with  the  enemy,  and  I  am  not  without 
fear  that  this  new  circumstance  will  create  difficulties 
in  the  time  of  their  attendance.  I  shall  immedi- 
ately dispatch  an  express  to  them  with  a  communi- 
cation of  your  Excellency's,  and  will,  on  receipt 
of  their  answer,  do  myself  again  the  honor  of  writing 
to  you.  In  the  meantime  as  there  remains  three 
weeks  between  this  and  the  12th  of  June,  the  day 
proposed  by  your  Excellency  for  the  meeting  of 
the  commissioners,  as  a  part  of  this  will  be  explained 
before  I  can  receive  a  letter  from  our  commissioners, 
and  it  is  probable  that  they  have  to  provide  for 
the  safety  of  their  family  before  their  departure, 
I  will  beg  leave  to  consider  it  as  your  Excellency's 
desire  that  as  early  a  day  as  possible  after  that 
may  be  fixed,  and  to  take  the  liberty  of  communi- 
cating the  earliest  at  which  they  may  be  able  to 
attend,  according  to  the  answer  I  shall  receive  from 
them.    I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc. 


TO  MAJOR  RICHARD  CLAIBORNE. 

Charlottesville,  May  23,  1781. 
Sir, — Your  letters  of  the  10th  and  19th  instants 
came  to  hand  yesterday.    Experience  has  for  some- 
time past  convinced  the  Council  that,  as  the  mode 
of  acquiring  wagons,  horses,  etc.,  by  impress  is 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       35 1 


the  most  irritating,  so  it  is  the  most  expensive 
which  can  be  adopted.  They,  therefore,  have  meant 
to  discontinue  impresses,  and  to  have  purchases 
made  whenever  a  delay  can  be  permitted,  and, 
indeed,  it  is  questionable,  where  necessity  obliges 
the  public  to  have  an  article  on  the  spot,  whether 
any  price  which  the  owner  would  ask  to  part  with 
it  voluntarily  would  not  be  less  than  appraisers 
would  rate  it  at. 

In  answer,  therefore,  to  your  letter,  I  can  only 
advise  your  procuring  the  necessaries  required  by 
purchase.  In  a  conversation  I  had  with  Mr.  Lyne 
I  mentioned  the  necessity  of  paying  your  warrants 
as  quickly  as  possible.  He  was  sensible  of  it,  and 
I  dare  say  will  pay  it  as  soon  as  he  has  as  much 
money.    I  am,  etc. 


TO  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Charlottesville,  May  29,  1781. 
Sir, — I  am  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  26th, 
as  I  have  been  by  one  of  the  day  before  from  Colonel 
John  Walker,  who  informed  me  that  he  wrote  at 
your  request  on  the  subject  of  horses.  I  have 
now  the  pleasure  to  inclose  to  you  eight  impress 
warrants,  accompanied  with  resolutions  of  the 
House  of  Delegates,  which  I  obtained  yesterday, 
and  to  inform  you  that  as  soon  as  the  other  branch 
of  the  legislature  is  convened,  I  believe  they  are 
disposed  to  strengthen  you  with  cavalry  to  any 


3S2  Jefferson's  Works 


amount  you  think  proper,  and  with  good  horses 
as  you  shall  think  economy  should  induce  you  to 
take.  Stud  horses  and  brood  mares  will  be  always 
excepted,  because  to  take  them  would  be  to  rip 
up  the  hen  which  laid  the  golden  eggs. 

T  am  sorry  that  it  has  not  been  in  your  power 
to  send  me  the  county  returns  of  militia.  I  assure 
you  that  such  returns  weekly  are  indispensably 
necessary  to  enable  the  Executive  to  keep  militia 
in  the  field.  I  did,  however,  on  receiving  infor- 
mation from  Colonel  Walker  that  the  enemy  were 
reinforced,  call  for  one-fourth  of  the  militia  of 
Washington,  Montgomery,  Botetourt,  Rockbridge, 
Augusta,  Rockingham  and  Amherst,  which  (the 
last  excepted)  are  our  best  rifle  counties.  They 
will  rendezvous  at  Charlottesville  and  there  expect 
your  orders. 

Baron  Steuben  informed  me  also  that  only 
two  men  were  employed  in  repairing  the  damaged 
arms.  I  am  at  a  loss  what  to  think  on  this  subject, 
as  I  have  received  assurance  that  one  hundred  a 
week  are  repaired  there,  and  that  very  shortly 
they  will  be  enabled  to  repair  one  hundred  and 
fifty  a  week.  I  will  take  immediate  measures  for 
procuring  a  state  of  the  repairs. 

I  sincerely  and  anxiously  wish  that  you  may  be 
enabled  to  prevent  Lord  Cornwallis  from  engaging 
you  till  you  shall  be  sufficiently  reinforced  and  be 
able  to  engage  him  on  your  own  terms.  This  may 
be  the  case  when  your  superiority  in  cavalry  shall 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  353 


become  decided,  which  I  have  the  most  sanguine 
hopes  the  assembly  will  immediately  provide  for. 
In  the  meantime  the  upper  country  will  afford 
you  a  secure  retreat,  presenting  hills  inaccessible 
to  horses  approaching  them  and  to  this  most  dan- 
gerous enemy,  the  riflemen. 

I  will  take  the  liberty  of  recommending  to  you 
that  the  two  field  officers  to  be  appointed  for  valu- 
ing the  impressed  horses  be  skilled  in  the  business, 
and  that  the  same  two  may  go  through  the  whole 
business,  that  all  may  be  valued  on  the  same 
scale.  Also  that  officers  of  mild  and  condescending 
tempers  and  manners  be  employed,  and  particularly 
instructed,  while  they  prosecute  their  object, 
steadily  to  use  every  soothing  art  possible. 

A  high  tone  of  conduct  will,  as  it  did  in  a  former 
instance,  revolt  the  people  against  the  measure 
altogether,  and  produce  the  suppression  of  it.  I 
have  the  honor  to  be,  etc. 


TO  THE  COUNTY  LIEUTENANTS  OF  YORK,  NEW  KENT, 
HANOVER,  GLOUCESTER,  KING  AND  QUEEN,  KING 
WILLIAM,  MIDDLESEX,  ESSEX,  CAROLINE,  SPOTSYL- 
VANIA, LANCASTER,  RICHMOND,  KING  GEORGE, 
NORTHUMBERLAND,  WESTMORELAND,  STAFFORD, 
PRINCE  WILLIAM,  FAIRFAX,  LOUDOUN  AND  BERK- 
ELEY. 

Charlottesville,  May  29,  1781. 
Sir, — Information  having  been  given  me  that  a 
considerable  number  of  men  have  deserted  from 

VC-    XIX — 23 


354  Jefferson's  Works 


the  French  army  and  navy  in  America,  which  the 
commanding  officers  are  very  urgent  to  have  appre- 
hended, I  must  desire  you  to  give  orders  at  the 
several  ferries  in  your  county,  that  all  foreigners 
offering  to  cross  at  them,  and  having  the  appearance 
of  soldiers  or  seamen,  be  examined  with  great  strict- 
ness, and  if  there  be  good  reason  to  believe  them 
to  be  deserters,  that  they  then  be  delivered  to  such 
persons  as  you  shall  appoint  to  guard  them  till 
you  can  have  an  opportunity  by  militia  or  other- 
wise, to  send  them,  with  a  state  of  the  circumstances 
of  suspicion,  to  the  headquarters  of  Major-General 
the  Marquis  Lafayette.    I  am,  etc. 


TO  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Charlottesville,  May  30,  1781. 
Sir, — Mr.  Maury  informs  me  there  is  reason  to 
expect  from  Lord  Cornwallis  a  permission  to  export 
to  Charleston  tobacco  for  our  officers  and  soldiers 
in  captivity  there.  As  you  have  been  fully  appraised 
of  what  has  been  done  heretofore,  and  a  negotiation 
for  the  relief  of  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Con- 
tinental Line,  which  you  have  honored  by  accepting 
the  command,  seems  agreeably  reconciled  to  your 
office  and  humanity.  I  will  beg  leave  to  inform 
you  that  the  State  will  provide  as  far  as  nine  hun- 
dred hogsheads  of  tobacco  to  be  sent  to  Charleston, 
for  the  above  purpose,  and  to  ask  the  favor  of 
you  to  negotiate  with  Lord  Cornwallis  for  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  355 


license.  The  distance  of  the  Executive  from  his 
Lordship  is  an  additional  reason  for  asking  this 
favor  of  you.  Mr.  Maury  will  lend  any  aid  in  his 
power  to  promote  this  business,  and  is  still  recom- 
mended as  a  proper  person  to  attend  the  tobacco 
to  Charleston.    I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc. 


TO  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Charlottesville,  May  30,  1781. 

Sir, — I  inclosed  to  General  Phillips  a  passport 
for  the  British  flag  vessel,  the  General  Reidseel, 
and  declined  it  to  Captain  Innes  who  called  on  me 
for  that  purpose  by  order  of  Major-General  Baron 
Steuben,  and  was  to  have  accompanied  the  vessel 
to  and  from  her  port  of  destination. 

The  movements  of  the  enemy  and  uncertainty 
where  General  Phillips  was  then  to  be  found  delayed 
his  going  till  you  had  arrived.  I  think  Baron 
Steuben  afterward  informed  me  you  would  be  so 
kind  as  to  send  in  the  letter  by  a  flag  and  an  officer 
to  go  with  the  vessel. 

The  inclosed  letter  from  Mr.  Miles  King,  written 
at  the  request  of  Captain  Gerlach,  the  flagmaster, 
I  take  the  liberty  of  transmitting  to  you  by  the  person 
who  brought  it,  who  is  returning  to  Mr.  King,  and 
will  carry  any  line  of  information  with  which  you 
will  be  so  kind  as  to  favor  him.    I  am,  etc. 


356  Jefferson's  Works 


TO  THE  SURVEYOR  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  MONONGALIA. 

Charlottesville,  June  3,  1781. 
Sir, — It  having  become  impracticable  to  settle 
the  boundary  between  this  State  and  Pennsylvania 
by  astronomical  observations  during,  the  present 
season,  it  is  referred  by  mutual  consent  till  the 
next  year.  In  the  meantime  it  is  agreed  that 
Mason's  and  Dixon's  line  shall  be  extended  twenty- 
three  miles  with  a  surveyor's  compass,  only  in  the 
usual  manner,  marking  the  trees  very  slightly.  I 
am,  therefore,  to  desire  you  to  undertake  to  do 
this  in  connection  with  such  person  as  shall  be 
appointed  by  his  Excellency  President  Reid,  and 
report  your  work  to  the  Executive.  We  shall 
rely  on  your  engaging  chain-carriers,  markers,  etc., 
the  expense  of  which  shall  be  paid  by  the  public. 
I  am,  etc. 


Voting  the  Declaration  of  Independence 

Reproduction  from  an  unfinished  Engraving  by  Edward  Savage. 

The  picture  divides  itself  into  three  groups — in  the  centre  the  com- 
mittee presenting  the  draft  to  President  Hancock,  on  the  right  a 
group  of  eight,  on  the  left  a  group  of  seventeen.;  The  members  of  the 
Committee,  from  left  to  right,  are  R.  R.  Livingston,  Roger  Sherman, 
John  Adams,  Jefferson  and  Franklin.  Hancock  is  seated  behind  the 
table,  facing  to  the  front,  with  Secretary  Thomson  seated  at  his  right. 
In  the  group  on  the  right,  the  figure  seated  with  his  back  to  the  spec- 
tator is  Charles  Carroll,  and  the  man  with  his  hat  on,  who  is  standing 
to  the  right,  is  Stephen  Hopkins.  Among  the  others  in  this  group 
are  George  Read,  Hopkinson,  Wolcott,  and  Witherspoon.  In  the  group 
on.  the  left,  the  seated  figure  with  a  cane  is  Robert  Morris,  and  in  the 
background  are  Samuel  Adams,  Robert  Treat  Paine,  Edward  Rutledge, 
Philip  -Livingston,  Benjamin  Rush,  Thomas  Stone,  George  Ross,  and 
James  Wilson.  One  of  the  first  trial  proofs  of  this  engraving  is  in  the 
Emmet  collection,  framed  and  hanging  in  the  Exhibition  Room  of  the 
Lenox  Library,  New  York.  The  reproduction  presented  herewith 
was  made  from  this  impression,  which  shows  that  a  number  of  the 
faces  were  left  unfinished,  and  consequently  appear  entirely  blank. 
The  engraved  copper-plate  itself  was  presented  by  Samuel  T.  Snow, 
of  Boston,  to  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  in  November,  1859, 
as  the  work  of  an  unknown  artist.  It  was  stated  that  it  had  been  left, 
many  years  ago,  by  a  party  of  play-actors,  in  payment  of  their  board, 
with  an  inn-keeper,  who,  after  keeping  it  for  twenty  years,  brought 
it  to  Boston.  The  Lenox  Library  acknowledges  its  indebtedness,  to  Mr. 
Charles  Henry  Hart,  of  Philadelphia,  an  authority  on  American  art, 
for  the  name  of  the  artist  who  made  the  engraving.  Mr.  Hart  discov- 
ered that  it  was  engraved  by  Edward  Savage,  and  left  unfinished  by 
him  at  the  time  of  his  death,  July  6,  1817.  The  original  picture,  from 
which  the  engraving  of  the  same  size  is  copied,  has  been  recently 
acquired  by  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  of  such 
recognized  significance  that  it  is  being  used  as  a  guide  to  the  restoration 
of  Independence  Hall.  The  painting  was  begun  by  Robert  Edge  Pine, 
left  unfinished  by  him  at  his  death,  November  19,  1788,  purchased 
from  his  widow  by  Bo  wen  and  Savage,  for  the  New  York  Museum, 
and  finished  by  the  latter.  Pine  called  the  painting  ''The  American 
Congress  Voting  "Independence," 


MANUSCRIPTS 

FROM 

THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  VIRGINIA 
COLLECTION. 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTES. 


It  will  be  readily  admitted,  after  due  examination,  that  the 
"Minutes"  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  of  the  University  of  Virginia, 
under  the  rectorship  of  its  father  and  founder,  Thomas  Jefferson,  are 
far  more  interesting  than  the  mere  reports  of  similar  business  meet- 
ings. They  contain  an  account  of  the  actual  growth  of  that  famous 
institution, — the  practical  suggestions  for  the  erection  of  the  buildings, 
the  plans  and  organization  for  the  various  academic  departments,  the 
adoption  of  educational  theories  and  innovations  and,  in  short,  the 
establishment  of  a  centre  of  learning  as  fulfilled  to-day  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  Virginia, 

This  fulfillment  had  been  the  heart's  desire  of  its  founder  for 
many  years  before  his  death,  and  he  wished  to  have  its  accomplish- 
ment engraved  in  the  epitaph  on  his  tombstone,  together  with  the 
record  of  his  services  as  the  author  of  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence and  the  Statute  for  Religious  Freedom  in  Virginia. 

Associated  with  Jefferson  on  the  Board  of  Visitors  were  James 
Madison,  James  Monroe,  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  James  Breckenridge,  David 
Watson  and  J.  H.  Cocke.  All  of  them  were  intensely  interested  in 
the  erection  of  a  State  University  along  the  lines  conceived  by  Jeffer- 
son. Joseph  C.  Cabell,  then  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Senate, 
was  especially  enthusiastic  and  supported  in  the  legislature  what 
Jefferson  planned  in  the  privacy  of  his  study.  It  was  due  to  the 
tireless  efforts  of  Cabell,  stimulated  by  Jefferson,  that  the  State 
government  ultimately  expended  $300,000  for  the  construction  of  the 
University  and  appropriated  $15,000  a  year  toward  its  maintenance. 

The  correspondence  between  Jefferson  and  Cabell  on  the  subject 
of  the  early  history  of  the  University  of  Virginia  was  published  iv 
an  octavo  volume  in  1856,  and  is  now  very  rare.  Its  appendix  cm 
tains  some  of  the  material  given  in  the  following  pages,  but  the  pro- 
portion is  small  compared  to  the  aggregate  matter  printed  herewith 
for  the  first  time.  The  "Minutes"  given  in  the  present  instance 
embrace  a  period  of  nine  years,  the  last  entry  having  been  dated 
only  three  months  before  Jefferson's  death. 


36°  Jefferson's  Works 


Not  alone  did  Jefferson  outline  the  process  of  education  for  his 
University,  but  he  also  planned  its  architecture.  He  superintended 
each  detail  of  the  construction,  engaging  workmen,  buying  bricks 
and  choosing  the  trees  to  be  used  for  timber.  The  institution  was 
opened  during  the  month  of  March,  1825.  The  first  year  began  with 
forty  students  but  this  number  had  increased  to  almost  two  hun- 
dred by  the  beginning  of  the  second  term.  The  University  still 
bears  the  impress  of  Jefferson's  mind  to  the  extent  that  it  has  no 
president, — this  position  being  filled  by  a  chairman  elected  from  among 
the  professors ;  that  it  bestows  no  honors  and  no  rewards,  and  that 
attendance  at  religious  services  is  entirely  voluntary.  Thus  the  stu- 
dent is  placed  upon  his  principles  as  a  citizen  and  upon  his  honor  as  a 
man. 

The  "Minutes"  presented  in  this  collection  are  taken  from  a 
time-worn  book  in  the  possession  of  the  University  of  Virginia.  Most 
of  the  entries  are  in  the  firm  handwriting  of  Jefferson — annther  proof 
of  his  indefatigability  as  a  penman.  For  access  to  the  book  and  for 
the  privilege  of  reproducing  its  contents,  credit  is  due  to  the  authori- 
ties of  the  University,  and  especially  to  Dr.  Charles  W.  Kent. 


AN  EXACT  TRANSCRIPT 


OF  THE 


Minutes  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia,  during  the  Rectorship 
of  Thomas  Jefferson. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  Central 
College  held  at  Charlottesville,  on  the  5th  day  of 
May,  181 7,  on  a  call  by  three  members,  to  wit: 
John  Hartwell  Cocke,  Joseph  C.  Cabell  and  Thomas 
Jefferson.  Present,  James  Monroe,  James  Madison, 
John  H.  Cocke  and  Thomas  Jefferson. 

The  records  of  the  trustees  of  the  Albermarle 
Academy,  in  lieu  of  which  the  Central  College  is 
established,  were  received  from  their  secretary  by 
the  hands  of  Alex.  Garrett,  one  of  the  said  trustees. 

Resolved,  that  Valentine  W.  Southall  be  appointed 
secretary  to  the  Board,  and  that  the  records  be 
delivered  to  him. 

The  Board  proceeded  to  the  appointment  of  a 
proctor,  and  the  said  Alexander  Garrett  was  appoint- 
ed, with  a  request  that  he  will  act  as  treasurer  also 
until  a  special  appointment  can  be  made. 


362  Jefferson's  Works 


The  Board  being  informed  that  at  a  meeting 
which  had  been  proposed  for  the  8th  day  of  April 
last  at  Charlottesville,  and  at  which  the  three 
members  only,  who  called  this  present  meeting  had 
attended,  the  said  members  had  visited  and  examined 
the  different  sites  for  the  college  within  a  convenient 
distance  around  Charlottesville,  had  deemed  the  one 
offered  them  by  John  Perry  about  a  mile  above 
the  town  to  be  the  most  suitable,  and  offered  on 
the  most  reasonable  terms,  and  had  provisionally 
authorized  a  purchase  of  certain  parcels  thereof 
for  the  site  of  the  said  college  and  its  appendages, 
and  the  members  now  present  having  themselves 
proceeded  to  the  said  grounds,  examined  them  and 
considered  the  terms  of  the  said  provisional  pur- 
chase, do  now  approve  of  the  said  grounds  as  a 
site  for  the  said  college  and  its  appendages,  and 
of  the  terms  of  purchase,  which  they  hereby  confirm 
and  ratify.  And  they  accordingly  authorize  their 
proctor  above  named  to  proceed  to  a  regular  con- 
veyance thereof  to  himself  and  his  successors  in 
trust  for  the  said  college. 

The  act  establishing  the  Central  College  having 
transferred  to  the  same  all  the  rights  and  claims 
existing  in  the  Albemarle  Academy  and  its  trustees, 
and  having  in  aid. of  the  subscriptions  and  donations, 
obtained  or  to  be  obtained,  and  of  the  proceeds 
of  the  lottery  authorized  by  law,  specially  empowered 
this  college,  by  its  proper  officers,  to  demand  and 
receive  the  moneys  which  arose  from  the  sales  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  363 


the  glebe  lands  of  the  parishes  of  St.  Anne  and 
Fredericks ville,  or  such  part  thereof  as  belongs  to 
the  county  of  Albemarle  or  its  citizens,  in  whatever 
hands  they  may  be,  to  be  employed  for  the  purposes 
of  this  college,  ordered  that  the  proctor  enquire 
into  the  state  of  said  property,  and  report  the  same 
to  this  Board;  and  that  in  the  meantime,  he  be 
authorized  to  demand  and  receive  so  much  of  the 
said  moneys  as  may  be  requisite  to  pay  for  the  land 
purchased  from  the  said  John  Perry,  and  to  make 
payment  accordingly. 

In  view  of  a  plan  presented  to  the  trustees  of 
the  Albemarle  Academy  for  erecting  a  distinct 
pavilion  or  building  for  each  separate  professor- 
ship, and  for  arranging  these  around  a  square, 
each  pavilion  containing  a  school-room  and  two 
apartments  for  the  accommodation  of  the  professor, 
with  reasonable  conveniences,  the  Board  deter- 
mined that  one  of  these  pavilions  shall  now  be 
erected;  and  they  request  the  proctor,  so  soon  as 
the  funds  are  at  his  command,  to  agree  with  proper 
workmen  for  the  building  of  one  of  stone  or  brick 
below  ground,  and  of  brick  above,  of  substantial 
work,  of  regular  architecture,  well  executed,  and 
to  be  completed,  if  possible,  during  the  ensuing 
summer  and  winter ;  that  the  lot  for  the  said  pavilions 

be  delineated  on  the  ground  of  the  breadth  of  

feet  with  two  parallel  sides  of  indefinite  length, 
and  that  the  pavilion  first  to  be  erected  be  placed 
on  one  of  the  lines  so  delineated,  with  its  floor  in 


364  Jefferson's  Works 


such  degree  of  elevation  from  the  ground  as  may 
correspond  with  the  regular  inclined  plane  to  which 
it  may  admit  of  being  reduced  hereafter. 

And  it  is  further  resolved,  that  so  far  as  the  funds 
may  admit,  the  proctor  be  requested  to  proceed 
to  the  erection  of  dormitories  for  the  students 
adjacent  to  the  said  pavilion,  not  exceeding  ten 
on  each  side,  of  brick,  and  of  regular  architecture, 
according  to  the  same  plan  proposed. 

The  Board,  proceeding  to  consider  the  plan  of 
a  lottery  prepared  by  the  trustees  of  the  Albemarle 
Academy,  approve  of  the  same,  and  resolve  that 
it  be  carried  into  execution  and  without  delay,  by 
the  proctor  and  by  such  agents  as  he  shall  appoint, 
and  that  the  moneys  to  be  received  for  tickets  by 
those  entrusted  with  the  sale  of  them,  be  from 
time  to  time,  and  at  short  periods,  paid  into  the 
hands  of  the  proctor,  and  by  him  deposited  in  the 
Bank  of  Virginia  in  Richmond,  with  which  bank 
it  is  thought  expedient  that  an  account  should  be 
opened  with  him  in  trust  for  the  Central  College. 

Resolved,  that  a  subscription  paper  be  prepared, 
and  placed  in  such  hands  as  the  proctor  shall  deem 
will  be  most  likely  to  promote  it  with  energy  and 
success,  in  which  shall  be  different  columns,  to  wit: 
one  for  those  who  may  prefer  giving  a  donation  in 
gross,  another  for  those  who  may  be  willing  to 
give  a  certain  sum  annually  for  the  term  of  four 
years,  and  a  third  for  donations  in  any  other  form. 
And  that  the  moneys  subscribed  be  disposed  of  as 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  365 


they  are  received  by  the  proctor,  in  the  manner 
above  prescribed  for  those  received  on  the  lottery. 

Resolved,  that  Thomas  Jefferson  and  John  H. 
Cocke  be  a  committee  on  the  part  of  the  Visitors 
with  authority,  jointly  or  severally,  to  advise  and 
sanction  all  plans  and  the  application  of  moneys 
for  executing  them  which  may  be  within  the  pur- 
view and  functions  of  the  proctor  for  the  time  being. 

Th.  Jefferson, 
James  Monroe, 
James  Madison, 
J.  H.  Cocke. 

May  5,  1817. 

July  28,  1817. 

At  a  called  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  Central 
College,  held  at  the  ^ouse  of  Mr.  Madison  in  Orange, 
Thomas  Jefferson,  James  Madison,  John  Hartwell 
Cocke,  and  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  being  present. 

The  plan  of  the  first  pavilion  to  be  erected,  and 
the  proceedings  thereupon,  having  been  stated  and 
agreed  to, — 

It  is  agreed  that  application  be  made  to  Dr. 
Knox,  of  Baltimore,  to  accept  the  professorship  of 
languages,  belles-lettres,  rhetoric,  history  and  geog- 
raphy, and  that  an  independent  salary  of  four 
hundred  dollars,  with  a  perquisite  of  twenty-five 
dollars  from  each  pupil,  together  with  chambers 
for  his  accommodation,  be  allowed  him  as  a  com- 

1  Montpelier,  near  Somerset,  on  the  Southern  Railway. 


366 


Jefferson's  Works 


pensation  for  his  services,  he  finding  the  necessary 

assistant  ushers. 

Alexander  Garrett  requesting  to  resign  the  office 

of  proctor,  it  is  agreed  that  Nelson  Barksdale  of 

the  county  of  Albemarle,  be  appointed  his  successor. 
It  is  also  agreed  that  it  be  expedient  to  import 

a  stone-cutter  from  Italy,  and  that  Mr.  Jefferson 

be   authorized   and   requested  to   take  requis:- 

measures  to  effect  that  object. 

James  Madison, 
J.  H.  Cocke, 
Joseph  C.  Cabell, 
Th.  Jefferson. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  held  at  Charlottes- 
ville 7th  October,  181 7: 

On  information  of  the  amount  of  the  subscription 
to  the  Central  College,  known  to  be  made,  and 
others  understood  to  be  so,  the  Board  resolves, 
that  the  pavilion  now  erecting  be  completed  as 
heretofore  directed,  with  the  twenty  dormitories 
attached  to  it,  and  that  two  other  pavilions  be 
contracted  for  and  executed  the  next  year  with 
the  same  number  of  dormitories  to  each;  that  one 
of  these  be  appropriated  to  the  professor  of  languages, 
belles-lettres,  rhetoric,  oratory,  history  and  geog- 
raphy, one  other  to  the  professor  of  chemistry, 
zoology,  botany,  anatomy;  and  the  third,  until 
otherwise  wanted,  for  a  boarding-house,  to  be  kept 
by  some  French  family  of  good  character,  wherein 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  367 


it  is  proposed  that  the  boarders  shall  be  permitted 
to  speak  French  only,  with  a  view  to  their  becoming 
familiarized  to  conversation  in  that  language. 

The  Board  is  of  opinion  that  the  ground  for 
these  buildings  should  be  previously  reduced  to  a 
plain,  or  to  terraces  as  it  shall  be  found  to  admit 
with  due  regard  to  expense;  that  the  pavilions  be 
correct  in  their  architecture  and  execution,  and 
that  where  the  family  of  a  professor  requires  it, 
two  additional  rooms  shall  be  added  for  their 
accommodation. 

On  information  that  the  Reverend  Mr.  Knox, 
formerly  thought  of  for  a  professor  of  languages, 
is  withdrawn  from  business,  the  order  of  July  20 
is  rescinded,  and  it  is  resolved  to  offer,  in  the  first 
place,  the  professorship  of  chemistry,  etc.,  to  Dr. 
Thos.  Cooper  of  Pennsylvania,  adding  to  it  that 
of  law  with  a  fixed  salary  of  1,000  dollars  and  tuition 
fees  of  twenty  dollars  from  each  of  his  students, 
to  be  paid  by  them;  and  to  accede  also  to  the 
conditions  stated  in  his  letter  of  September  16  to 
Th.  Jefferson;  and  that  he  be  advised  with  as  to 
a  qualified  professor  of  languages;  or  such  other 
measures  be  taken  to  obtain  one  as  shall  be  found 
most  advisable;  that  the  professor  of  languages 
should  be  engaged  to  take  place  on  the  1st  of  April, 
and  Dr.  Cooper,  as  soon  as  a  pavilion  for  him  can 
be  erected,  or  as  he  can  otherwise  accommodate 
himself  with  lodgings. 

Resolved,  that  every  student  shall  be  required 


368  Jefferson's  Works 


to  pay  sixty  dollars  per  annum  tuition  fees,  of  which 
twenty  dollars  shall  be  paid  to  each  professor  he 
attends,  and  the  surplus  thereof,  if  any,  to  remain 
for  the  use  of  the  college,  and  that  fifteen  dollars 
be  paid  moreover  for  each  dormitory  by  the  students 
occupying  them. 

Resolved,  that  any  deficiency  in  the  moneys  paid 
or  payable  by  subscription  or  otherwise,  in  or 
before  April  next,  to  pay  for  the  pavilions  and 
dormitories,  the  first  year's  salaries  to  the  two 
professors  aforesaid  and  other  necessary  expenses, 
shall  be  obtained,  if  practicable,  by  negotiations 
with  the  banks  on  a  pledge  of  the  future  instal- 
ments of  subscriptions,  and  of  the  college  property 
as  security,  and  that  of  the  latter  instalment  the 
sum  of  25,000  dollars  shall  be  disposed  of  as  shall 
hereafter  be  directed,  either  to  the  Commonwealth 
or  the  banks  of  some  other  safe  moneyed  institution, 
or  an  interest  sufficient  to  pay  the  annual  salaries 
of  the  two  professors  aforesaid  forever, 

Resolved,  that  the  proctor  be  authorized  to  hire 
laborers  for  levelling  the  ground  and  performing 
necessary  services  for  the  work  or  other  purposes. 

James  Madison, 
James  Monroe, 
David  Watson, 
J.  H.  Cocke, 
Jos.  C.  Cabell, 
Th.  Jefferson. 

October  7,  18 17. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  369 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors,  8th  October,  1817: 
Certain  letters  from  Dr.  Thos.  Cooper  to  Th. 
Jefferson,  dated  September  17  and  19,  received 
since  the  meeting  of  yesterday,  being  communicated 
to  the  Board  of  Visitors,  and  taken  into  consider- 
ation with  his  former  letter  of  September  16,  they 
are  of  opinion  that  it  will  be  for  the  interest  of  the 
College  to  modify  the  terms  of  agreement  which 
might  be  generally  proper,  so  as  to  accommodate 
them  to  the  particular  circumstances  of  Dr.  Cooper, 
and  to  reconcile  his  interests  to  an  acceptance  of 
the  professorship  before  proposed  to  him.  They, 
therefore,  resolve: 

1.  That  the  expenses  of  transporting  his  library 
and  collection  of  minerals  to  the  College  shall  be 
reimbursed  to  him. 

2.  That,  however  disposed  they  would  be  to 
purchase  for  the  College  his  collection  of  mineral 
subjects,  his  philosophical  and  chemical  apparatus, 
the  extent  of  their  funds  is  as  yet  too  little  ascer- 
tained to  authorize  engagements  for  them;  but 
that  an  interest  of  six  per  cent  per  annum  on  a 
fair  valuation  should  be  paid  for  the  use  of  them 
in  his  own  hand,  until  it  can  be  seen  that  the  other 
more  indispensable  calls  on  the  funds  of  the  college 
will  leave  them  competent  to  the  purchase. 

And,  ultimately,  should  nothing  short  of  the 
immediate  purchase  of  these  articles  be  sufficient, 
then  we  are  of  opinion  that  their  purchase  be  made, 
and  the  ready  money,  if  required,  be  obtained 

VOL.   XIX  24 


37°  Jefferson's  Works 

from  the  bank  as  proposed  in  the  resolution  of 
yesterday  for  other  pecuniary  deficiencies. 

3.  That  the  expense  in  articles  consumed  neces- 
sarily in  a  course  of  chemical  lectures  shall  be 
defrayed  by  the  College. 

4.  That  the  branches  of  science  proposed  for 
Dr.  Cooper  be  varied  and  accommodated  in  his 
case,  as  it  is  expected  they  must  be  in  others,  to 
the  particular  qualifications  of  the  professor. 

5.  That  the  committee  of  superintendence  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  proctor  in  the  execution  of  his 
functions  heretofore  appointed,  are  authorized  to 
take  such  measures  as  they  think  best  for  providing 
the  necessary  apartments  for  the  use  of  the  chemical 
and  mineralogical  purposes. 

Resolved,  that  Alexander  Garrett  be  appointed 
treasurer  for  the  College. 

Joseph  C.  Cabell, 
J.  H.  Cocke, 
James  Monroe, 
Th.  Jefferson,  for 
himself  and  for  James  Madison,  who 
assented  to  all  the  articles  but  was 
obliged  to  depart  before  they  could  be 
copied  and  signed. 
October  8,  181 7. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       37  * 


Charlottesville,  May  n,  1818. 
At  a  regular  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  Central 
College,  on  nth  May,  18 18,  at  which  Th.  Jefferson, 
James  Madison,  John  H.  Cocke  and  Joseph  C. 
Cabell  were  present,  it  was  agreed,  that  it  being 
uncertain  whether  Thos.  Cooper  would  accept  the 
professorship  of  chemistry,  in  the  event  of  his  not 
doing  so,  it  would  be  expedient  to  procure  a  pro- 
fessor of  mathematics.  It  was  also  agreed  to  allow 
the  proctor  of  the  College  the  sum  of  two  hundred 
dollars  for  the  present  year. 

James  Madison, 
Th.  Jefferson, 
J.  H.  Cocke, 
Joseph  C.  Cabell. 

May  11,  1818. 


We,  the  subscribers,  Visitors  of  the  Central 
College,  having  been  specially  called  to  meet  on 
the  26th  day  of  February,  1819,  and  authorized  by 
the  act  of  the  legislature,  now  in  session,  for  establish- 
ing the  University  of  Virginia,  to  continue  the 
exercise  of  our  former  functions,  and  to  fulfill  the 
duties  of  our  successors,  Visitors  of  the  said  Uni- 
versity, until  their  first  actual  meeting,  have  unani- 
mously agreed  on  the  following  opinions  and 
proceedings : 

That  it  is  expedient  that  all  the  funds  of  the 
University  applicable  to  the  services  of  the  present 


372 


Jefferson's  Works 


year,  which  shall  remain  after  meeting  all  trie  other 
current  and  necessary  purposes,  shall  be  applied 
to  the  providing  additional  buildings  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  professors,  and  for  dieting  and 
lodging  the  students  of  the  University. 

That  the  urgency  of  the  advancing  season,  and 
the  importance  of  procuring  workmen  before  they 
become  generally  otherwise  engaged  for  the  season, 
render  it  necessary  for  expediting  the  objects  of 
the  University,  that  certain  measures  be  forthwith 
taken,  which,  if  delayed  until  the  first  actual  meet- 
ing of  our  successors  would  materially  retard  those 
objects. 

That  taking  into  view  the  balance  remaining  of 
the  funds  of  the  last  year,  to  wit :  Of  the  proceeds 
of  the  glebes,  and  of  the  first  and  second  instal- 
ments of  subscriptions,  after  payment  shall  have 
been  made  of  the  expenditures  of  the  same  year, 
as  also  the  third  instalment  of  subscriptions  payable 
in  April,  1820,  and  the  public  endowment  of  15,000 
dollars  for  the  present  year,  engagements  may  be 
entered  into  for  building,  in  the  approaching  season, 
two  more  pavilions  for  the  professors,  one  hotel 
for  dieting  the  students,  and  as  many  additional 
dormitories  for  their  lodging,  with  the  necessary 
appendages,  as  the  said  funds  shall  be  competent 
to  accomplish:  that  we  approve  of  the  propositions 
for  covering  with  tin  sheets  the  pavilions  and  hotels 
hereafter  to  be  covered,  and  for  bringing  water  to  them 
by  wooden  pipes  from  the  neighboring  high  lands. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  373 


That  Alexander  Garrett,  treasurer  of  the  Central 
College,  be  continued  as  the  depository  of  the  funds 
of  the  institution,  with  authority  to  exercise  the 
powers  and  perform  the  duties  of  bursar  of  the 
University  until  otherwise  provided. 

That  to  meet  the  immediate  and  pressing  calls 
for  money,  he  be  authorized  to  receive  from  the 
treasury  of  the  State  the  sum  of  fifteen  hundred 
dollars,  in  part  of  the  public  endowment  of  15,000 
dollars  for  the  present  year. 

That  a  copy  of  these  proceedings  be  laid  before 
the  Governor  and  Council  for  the  exercise  of  the 
power  of  control  committed  to  them  by  the  same 
act  of  the  legislature,  should  they  think  proper  to 
exercise  that  power  on  any  part  of  these  proceedings. 

Th.  Jefferson, 
James  Madison, 
J.  H.  Cocke, 
David  Watson. 

February  26,  1819. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia  at  the  said  University  on  Monday,  the 
29th  day  of  March,  1819,  being  the  day  prescribed 
by  the  Governor  for  their  first  meeting,  James 
Madison,  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  Chapman  Johnson, 
James  Breckenridge,  Robert  Taylor,  John  H.  Cocke 
and  Thomas  Jefferson  attended. 

The  Board  proceeding  to  the  duties  prescribed 


374  Jefferson's  Works 


to  them  by  the  act  of  the  general  assembly,  insti- 
tuted "  An  act  establishing  an  University, ' '  appointed 
Thomas  Jefferson  their  rector  and  Peter  Minor  their 
secretary. 

Resolved,  that  Alexander  Garrett  be  appointed 
bursar  of  the  University,  and  that  he  be  allowed 
as  a  compensation  for  the  duties  of  his  said  office 
the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a  year; 
and  that  the  committee  of  superintendence  hereafter 
to  be  named,  be  authorized  to  engage  Arthur 
Brockenbrough  as  proctor  of  the  University,  with 
an  allowance  not  exceeding  2,000  dollars  a  year, 
or  if  he  cannot  be  engaged,  then  any  other  person 
on  such  terms  as  they  find  necessary. 

Resolved,  that  the  acting  proctor  be  instructed 
to  examine  into  the  state  of  the  property,  real  and 
personal  (moneys  and  credits  excepted),  formerly 
appertaining  to  the  Central  College,  and  conveyed 
to  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary  Fund, 
that  he  make  an  inventory  of  the  same,  as  it 
stands  at  this  day,  specifying  the  items  whereof  it 
consists,  and  noticing  the  buildings  and  other 
improvements  already  made  and  those  which  are 
in  progress,  and  that  the  late  treasurer  of  the  College, 
now  the  bursar,  be  instructed  to  make  a  statement 
of  the  funds,  in  money  and  credit,  which  apper- 
tained to  the  said  College,  and  were  conveyed  to 
the  said  president  and  directors;  specifying  how 
much  of  the  said  moneys  have  been  received,  how 
much  have  been  paid  away,  t©  whom,  and  for 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  375 


what  purposes;  what  debts,  to  whom  and  for 
what  purposes,  are  due  on  settled  accounts;  to 
whom  and  for  what  purposes  debts  are  due  on 
unsettled  accounts ;  what  part  of  the  annual  donation 
by  the  Commonwealth  has  been  received,  and  how 
much  thereof  has  been  paid  away,  to  whom,  and 
for  what  purposes ;  all  referring  to  the  present  date ; 
and  that  the  said  inventory  and  statement  be 
returned  to  this  Board  to  be  preserved  among  its 
records. 

Resolved,  that  the  proctor  be  required  to  provide 
a  common  seal  for  the  University,  in  the  field  of 
which  shall  be  engraved  a  Minerva  enrobed  in  her 
peplum  and  characteristic  habiliments  as  inventress 
and  protectress  of  the  arts,  and  that  the  exergue 
be  " University  of  Virginia"  and  at  the  bottom 
the  date  of  "  1819." 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  Board  that  each  of  the 
professors  of  the  University  be  allowed  a  standing 
salary  of  1,500  dollars  a  year,  and  to  receive  also 
thirty  dollars  annually  from  every  student  attending 
him  for  instruction  in  any  or  all  the  branches 
of  science,  which  constitute  the  department  of 
which  he  is  professor;  and  that  he  be  allowed  for 
his  accommodation  the  use  of  one  of  the  pavilions 
built,  or  to  be  built,  clear  of  rent;  it  being  under- 
stood that  a  professor  of  one  department,  holding 
temporarily  another,  may  receive  tuition  fees  from 
students  attending  him  in  each  department,  but  only 
one  salary,  unless  it  be  ©therwise  specially  provided. 


376  Jefferson's  Works 


That  the  dormitories  be  rented  to  the  students 
at  a  rate  of  twenty  dollars  a  year  for  each  dormitory, 
to  be  paid  by  the  occupant  or  occupants;  not 
more  than  two  being  permitted  to  lodge  in  the 
same  dormitory. 

Resolved,  that  a  committee  of  advice,  superin- 
tendence and  control  be  appointed  to  direct  the 
proceedings  of  the  several  agents  of  the  Board 
during  the  intervals  of  its  sessions,  and  to  call  a 
special  meeting  of  the  Board  whenever,  in  their 
opinion,  the  good  of  the  institution  indispensably 
requires  it,  that  notice  of  such  call  be  addressed 
by  the  committee  themselves  or  by  the  secretary 
on  their  order,  to  each  member  of  the  Board,  and 
be  forwarded  to  their  respective  residences  by  mail, 
be  also  published  in  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  at 
least  fifteen  days  before  the  time  appointed  for 
such  meeting. 

The  Board  hereby  authorizes  their  bursar,  with 
the  advice  of  a  member  of  the  committee  of  super- 
intendence, to  draw  on  the  president  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund,  for  the  whole  or  any  part 
of  the  public  donation  charged  on  that  fund,  either 
for  immediate  payment  to  those  to  whom  moneys 
may  be  due,  or  to  deposit  the  same  in  the  Bank 
of  Virginia,  and  thence,  with  the  same  advice, 
countersigned  by  a  member  of  the  committee,  to 
draw  it  occasionally  as  may  be  requisite. 

Resolved,  that  the  Board  concurs  in  the  opinion 
of  the  Visitors  of  the  Central  College  expressed  in 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  377 


their  resolution  of  February  26,  that  it  is  expedient 
that  the  funds  of  the  University  be  diverted  as 
little  as  possible  to  the  general  engagement  of  the 
professors  required  for  the  institution,  until  pro- 
vision be  made  of  buildings  for  their  accommodation, 
and  for  dieting  and  lodging  the  students;  and  that 
the  measures  adopted  by  them  for  the  buildings 
of  the  present  year  be  approved  and  pursued. 

That  Dr.  Thomas  Cooper  of  Philadelphia,,  hereto- 
fore appointed  professor  of  chemistry  and  of  law 
for  the  Central  College,  be  confirmed  and  appointed 
for  the  University,  as  professor  of  chemistry,  miner- 
alogy and  natural  philosophy,  and  as  professor  of 
law  also,  until  the  advance  of  the  institution  and 
increase  of  the  number  of  students  shall  render 
necessary  a  separate  appointment  to  the  professor- 
ship of  law;  that  in  addition  to  his  permanent 
salary  of  1,500  dollars  he  shall  receive  such  sums 
during  the  first  and  second  years  as,  with  his  salary 
and  his  tuition  fees,  shall  amount,  in  the  whole,  to  not 
less  than  3,500  dollars  a  year,  to  commence  on  the  first 
Monday  of  April  of  the  ensuing  year,  1820,  or  so 
soon  after  as  he  shall  arrive  at  the  University. 

That  the  expense  of  removing  his  philosophical 
apparatus,  his  library  and  collection  of  minerals  to 
the  University  be  reimbursed  to  him;  that  until  he 
shall  have  fifty  students  of  chemistry,  the  expense 
in  articles  consumed  necessarily  in  the  course  of 
chemical  lectures  be  defrayed  by  the  University, 
not  exceeding  250  dollars  in  any  course. 


378  Jefferson's  Works 


That  the  offer  of  his  philosophical  apparatus  at 
the  price  it  cost  him,  be  accepted,  and  that  also  of 
2,500  specimens  of  his  collection  of  minerals,  labelled 
and  arranged  in  pasteboard  cases,  to  be  selected 
from  his  whole  collection,  for  the  use  of  the  Uni- 
versity, at  the  price  of  fifty  cents  each,  by  John 
Vaughan,  Professor  Patterson  and  Zaccheus  Collins, 
with  a  suspension  of  payment,  however,  of  the 
principal  of  these  purchases  until  the  more  urgent 
provisions  for  the  accommodation  of  the  professors 
and  students  shall  enable  the  school  of  the  Uni- 
versity to  be  opened  generally,  and  with  the  pay- 
ment, in  the  meantime,  of  interest  at  the  rate  of 
six  per  centum  per  annum  on  their  amount. 

Considering  the  importance,  and  the  difficulty 
also  at  this  time,  of  procuring  American  citizens, 
of  the  first  order  of  science  in  their  respective  lines, 
to  be  professors  in  the  University,  the  committee 
of  superintendence  are  hereby  jointly  instructed  and 
authorized,  should  any  such  offer,  not  to  lose  the 
opportunity  of  securing  them  for  the  University, 
by  any  provisional  arrangements  they  can  make 
within  the  Hmits  of  the  salary  and  tuition  fees 
before  stated,  and  even  with  such  reasonable  accom- 
modations as  the  case  may  require,  suspending, 
however,  their  actual  engagement  until  a  meeting 
of  the  Visitors,  and  reserving  to  them  the  right  of 
approval  or  rejection. 

Resolved,  that  the  said  eommitfcee  be  jointly 
authorized  to  purchase,  at  a  fair  valuation  or  reason- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  379 


able  price,  of  John  Perry,  if  a  fit  occasion  occur, 
such  portion  of  his  land  lying  between  the  two 
parcels  heretofore  purchased  cf  him,  as  may  con- 
veniently unite  the  whole  in  one  body;  provided 
the  payment  be  deferred  until  it  can  be  received 
of  the  sixth  instalment  of  subscriptions,  or  of  the 
public  endowment  for  the  third  year  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

The  Board  proceeded  to  the  appointment  of  the 
committee  of  superintendence,  and  John  H.  Cocke 
and  Thos.  Jefferson  were  appointed,  with  authority, 
jointly  or  severally,  to  direct  the  proceedings  of  the 
agents  of  the  institution,  but  jointly  only  to  call 
a  special  meeting  of  the  Board. 

Resolved,  that  the  course  of  authenticating  the 
proceedings  of  the  Board  be  by  the  signature  of 
the  secretary,  and  counter-signature  of  the  rector, 
or  if  there  be  no  secretary,  or  not  present,  then  by 
that  of  the  rector  alone. 

And  the  Board  adjourned. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

March  29,  1819. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia,  at  the  said  University  on  Monday,  the 
4th  of  October,  1819,  present,  Thomas  Jefferson, 
Robert  Taylor,  James  Madison,  Chapman  Johnson 
and  John  Hartwell  Cocke. 

Resolved,  that  instead  of  the  hotel,  which  had 


38°  Jefferson's  Works 


been  directed  to  be  built  in  this  present  year  by 
the  Visitors  of  the  Central  College  at  their  meeting 
of  February  26,  and  approved  by  this  Board  on 
the  29th  of  March  last,  the  erection  of  an  additional 
pavilion  by  the  committee  of  superintendence,  is 
approved;  as  also  their  engagements  for  two  other 
additional  pavilions  and  dormitories,  in  anticipation 
of  the  funds  of  the  ensuing  year. 

Resolved,  that,  for  the  accomplishment  of  the 
buildings  commenced,  and  for  all  other  lawful 
expenses  and  disbursements  on  behalf  of  the  Uni- 
versity, the  bursar  be  authorized,  with  the  appro- 
bation of  a  member  of  the  committee  of  superin- 
tendence, to  draw  on  the  President  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund,  for  the  whole,  or  any  part 
of  the  public  donation  charged  on  that  fund,  for 
the  ensuing  year,  1820,  so  soon  as  the  same  shall 
become  payable. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  Board  that  at  least  three 
other  pavilions,  making  ten  with  those  in  hand., 
five  hotels,  and  additional  dormitories,  in  number 
depending  on  that  of  the  students  who  shall  apply 
for  admission  into  the  University,  with  their  append- 
ages, will  be  necessary  for  the  proper  accommodation 
of  the  whole  number  of  professors  contemplated  by 
the  legislature;  and  that  the  proctor,  under  the 
direction  of  the  committee  of  superintendence,  be 
required  to  make  an  estimate  of  the  whole  expense 
of  completing  such  buildings,  distinguishing  the 
expense  of  each,  and  that  such  estimate  should 


Supplementary  Manuscripts 

accompany  the  report  of  this  Board  to  the  president 
and  directors  of  the  Literary  Fund. 

Resolved,  that  as  the  stone  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  University  is  not  found  capable  of  being 
wrought  into  capitals  for  the  columns  of  some  of 
the  pavilions,  and  it  may  be  necessary  to  procure 
elsewhere  proper  stone  or  marble,  and  to  have 
capitals  executed  here  or  elsewhere,  the  proctor 
be  authorized  to  take  such  measures  relative  thereto, 
and  to  make  such  arrangements  for  their  execution, 
either  by  the  two  Italian  artists  engaged  for  that 
purpose,  or  by  others,  or  compromise  with  them, 
as  the  committee  of  superintendence  shall  approve. 

It  appearing  to  the  Board  that  the  buildings  and 
the  funds  of  the  University  will  not  be  in  a  condi- 
tion to  justify  the  commencement  of  any  of  its 
schools  during  the  next  spring,  and  that,  therefore, 
the  duties  of  the  professorships  to  which  Dr.  Thomas 
Cooper  was  appointed  must  be  deferred,  the  com- 
mittee of  superintendence  is  instructed  to  com- 
municate that  fact  to  Dr.  Cooper,  to  arrange  with 
him  the  terms  on  which  the  delay  may  be  made, 
consistent  with  his  convenience,  and  conformable 
to  an  honorable  fulfillment  of  our  engagements 
with  him;  and  to  report  their  proceedings  to  the 
Board  at  their  next  meeting. 

An  inventory  of  the  property  conveyed  by  the 
proctor  of  the  Central  College  to  the  president 
and  directors  of  the  Literary  Fund,  a  statement 
of  the  funds  in  money  and  credits  of  the  said 


382  Jefferson's  Works 


College,  conveyed  to  the  use  of  the  University, 
with  the  accounts  of  the  disbursements,  and  of 
the  funds  in  hand,  from  the  close  of  the  preceding 
accounts  to  the  last  day  of  September  in  this  pre- 
sent year,  as  furnished  by  the  bursar  and  proctor, 
and  a  draught  of  a  report  of  the  same,  and  of  the 
condition  of  the  University,  being  proposed  to  the 
Board,  the  same,  after  consideration  and  amend- 
ment is  agreed  to  in  the  following  words,  to  wit: 
"To  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund: 

"In  obedience  to  the  act  of  the  legislature  of 
Virginia,  entitled  'An  act  establishing  an  Uni- 
versity,' and  enjoining  on  the  rector  and  Visitors 
thereof  'to  make  report  annually  to  the  president 
and  directors  of  the  Literary  Fund  (to  be  laid 
before  the  legislature  at  their  next  succeeding 
session),  embracing  a  full  account  of  the  disburse- 
ments, the  funds  on  hand,  and  a  general  statement 
of  the  conditions  of  the  said  University, '  make  the 
following  report : 

"The  Governor  having  been  pleased,  with  the 
advice  of  Council,  to  appoint  James  Breckenridge, 
Joseph  C.  Cabell,  John  H.  Cocke,  Thomas  Jefferson, 
Chapman  Johnson,  James  Madison  and  Robert 
Taylor  to  be  Visitors  of  the  University  of  Virginia, 
and  prescribed  for  their  first  meeting  the  last  Mon- 
day in  March  of  the  present  year,  the  Visitors  so 
appointed  met  accordingly  at  the  site  provided 
for  the  Central  College,  and  adopted  by  the  legisla- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  383 


ture  for  that  of  the  University,  and  proceeded 
to  the  duties  presented  to  them  by  the  said  act  of 
the  legislature.  They  appointed  Thomas  Jefferson, 
one  of  their  body,  to  be  rector;  Alexander  Garrett, 
bursar;  Arthur  S.  Brockenbrough,  proctor,  and 
Peter  Minor,  their  secretary.  They  examined  into 
the  state  of  the  property  conveyed  by  the  proctor 
of  the  Central  College  to  the  president  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund;  had  an  inventory  thereof 
made  by  the  proctor,  as  it  stood  at  that  day,  speci- 
fying the  items  whereof  it  consisted,  and  noticing 
the  buildings  and  other  improvements,  made  or  in 
progress,  a  copy  of  which  inventory  is  hereto 
annexed;  and  they  required  and  received  from  the 
late  treasurer  of  the  Central  College,  now  bursar  of 
the  University,  a  statement  of  the  funds  in  money 
and  credits  of  the  said  College,  conveyed  for  the  use 
of  the  said  University,  specifying  the  moneys 
received,  those  paid  away,  to  whom  and  for  what 
purposes;  what  debts,  to  whom,  and  for  what 
purposes  were  due,  and  what  part  of  the  annual 
donation  by  the  Commonwealth  had  been  received; 
a  copy  of  which  statement  is  hereto  also  annexed, 
and  to  these  is  added  an  account  of  the  disburse- 
ments, and  of  the  funds  in  hand  prepared  by  the 
bursar  and  proctor,  from  the  close  of  the  preceding 
accounts  to  the  last  day  of  September  of  the  present 
year,  as  required  by  law,  and  also  an  estimate  of 
the  probable  cost  of  the  buildings  still  necessary 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  whole  number  of 


384  Jefferson's  Works 


professors  contemplated  by  the  legislature  and  of 
the  students. 

"The  Visitors  of  the  Central  College,  having  been 
in  treaty  with  Dr.  Thomas  Cooper  to  be  a  professor 
in  the  said  college,  those  of  the  University  con- 
firmed his  appointment  as  professor  of  chemistry, 
mineralogy  and  natural  philosophy;  and  agreed 
with  him  for  the  purchase  of  his  valuable  collection 
of  minerals  and  of  his  philosophical  apparatus. 
The  time,  however,  for  the  commencement  of  his 
functions  is  not  yet  ultimately  fixed,  but  they 
deem  it  inexpedient  to  make  any  further  appoint- 
ments of  professors  until  accommodations  for  their 
reception  and  for  that  of  the  students  shall  be 
provided;  and  the  rather,  as  the  salaries  of  the 
professors,  whenever  they  commence,  by  absorbing 
the  funds  of  the  University  will  leave  little  to  be 
employed  in  buildings  for  their  accommodation. 
They,  therefore,  concur  in  the  opinion  of  the  Visitors 
of  the  Central  College,  expressed  in  their  resolution 
of  February  26,  that  it  was  expedient  that  the  funds 
of  the  University  should  be  diverted  as  little  as 
possible  to  the  general  employment  of  professors, 
until  provision  should  be  made  for  their  accom- 
modation, and  for  boarding  houses  and  lodgings 
for  the  students,  and  for  this  purpose  they  gave 
directions  under  which  one  of  the  pavilions  and 
fifteen  of  the  dormitories,  in  the  inventory  men- 
tioned, have  been  as  nearly  finished  as  is  deemed 
expedient  until  wanted  for  occupation;    and  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  385 


other  pavilion  therein  also  mentioned  will  be  com- 
pleted this  winter.  Five  others  are  more  or  less 
advanced,  each  sufficient  to  accommodate  one  pro- 
fessor, and  about  twenty  other  dormitories  are  in 
progress.  These  will  probably  have  their  walls 
completed  and  covered  in  during  the  present  season, 
but  will  not  be  otherwise  finished  but  in  the  course 
of  another.  And,  in  order  to  effect  this  much,  the 
Visitors  have  been  obliged  to  enter  into  engage- 
ments which  will  not  only  exhaust  the  funds  of 
the  present  year,  but  pledge  those  of  the  ensuing 
one  also.  For  two  seasons  being  generally  requisite 
for  the  accomplishment  of  good  buildings,  the  one 
for  their  walls  and  covering,  the  other  inner  finish- 
ings, had  the  commencement  of  these  been  post- 
poned to  the  ensuing  season,  another  year  would 
have  been  added  to  the  delays  of  the  institution. 

"The  Visitors  would  have  had  sincere  pleasure  in 
announcing  to  the  president  and  directors  that 
they  should  be  able  to  open  the  University,  in  time 
and  manner,  to  meet  the  public  expectations.  But 
the  sums  necessary  for  the  preliminary  measure  of 
providing  accommodation  will  leave  the  funds  of 
the  institution  in  a  condition  which  does  not  enable 
them  to  do  this.  If  an  earlier  commencement, 
however,  should  be  deemed  of  importance  enough 
to  justify  an  additional  and  competent  aid  from 
the  funds  over  which  your  Board  presides,  for 
effecting  the  residuary  buildings,  the  Visitors  trust 
that  they  could  have  in  place,  by  the  autumn  or 

VOL.   XIX — 25 


386  Jefferson's  Works 


winter  of  the  coming  year,  the  complement  of  pro- 
fessors contemplated  by  the  law,  and  open  the 
institution  at  that  epoch  with  the  distinction 
called  for  by  the  interests  and  character  of  the 
State.  And  were  they  to  indulge  their  own  judg- 
ment, it  would  be  that  the  annual  tribute  we  are 
paying  to  other  countries  for  the  education  of  our 
youth,  the  retention  of  that  sum  at  home,  and 
receipt  of  a  greater  from  abroad,  which  might 
flow  to  an  University  on  an  approved  scale,  would 
make  it  a  gainful  employment  of  the  money  advanced, 
were  even  dollars  and  cents  to  mingle  themselves 
with  the  consideration  of  an  higher  order  urging 
the  accomplishment  of  this  institution.  But  this 
urgency  they  leave  with  confidence,  as  in  duty 
bound,  to  the  wiser  judgment  of  the  legislature, 
with  assurance,  on  the  part  of  the  Visitors  that, 
whether  with  the  present,  or  additional  funds, 
they  will  omit  nothing  which  may  hasten  the 
desirable  moment  when  the  youth  of  their  country 
may  find  at  home  those  resources  of  instruction 
which  they  have  so  long  been  in  the  habit  of  seek- 
ing elsewhere,  and  when,  by  a  sound  education,  a 
wholesome  direction  may  be  given  to  public  opinion, 
the  safest  guide  and  guardian  of  the  public  morals 
and  welfare,  the  arbitress,  in  every  nation,  of  its 
destinies  to  happiness  or  wretchedness,  and  the 
source  to  which,  as  either  pure  or  corrupted,  the 
changes  of  conditions  in  every  country  on  earth 
may  be  traced  and  ascribed." 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  387 


And  the  rector  is  instructed  to  authenticate  and 
transmit  the  same,  with  the  documents  therein 
referred  to,  to  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Literary  Fund,  according  to  law. 

And  the  Board  adjourns  itself  indefinitely. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

October  4,  18 19. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia  at  the  said  University,  on  Monday,  the 
3d  of  April,  1820,  present  Thomas  Jefferson,  James 
Madison,  James  Breckenridge,  John  H.  Cocke  and 
Joseph  C.  Cabell. 

Resolved,  that  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
accede  to  the  loan  of  $40,000  authorized  by  a 
resolution  of  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Literary  Fund  of  23d  March,  1820. 

Resolved,  that  the  aforesaid  sum  of  $40,000 
shall  be  applied  as  follows,  viz.,  first,  to  the  pay- 
ments of  the  debts  of  the  University.  Second, 
to  the  completion  of  the  buildings  now  on  hand. 

Resolved,  that  the  balance  that  may  remain  of 
the  $40,000,  after  accomplishing  the  two  objects 
last  specified,  together  with  the  annuity  of  the 
year  182 1,  after  deducting  the  interest  that  will 
be  due  on  the  loan  from  the  Literary  Fund,  be 
applied  toward  the  erection  of  three  other  pavilions 
and  their  accessory  dormitories. 

Resolved,  that  the  committee  of  superintendence 


388  Jefferson's  Works 


be  authorized  to  borrow  of  the  president  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund,  or  should  that  be  imprac- 
ticable, from  any  other  quarter,  the  further  sum 
of  $20,000. 

fResolved,  that  the  aforesaid  sum  of  $20,000, 
together  with  any  balance  of  the  preceding  sums 
as  may  remain  on  hand,  and  the  annuity  of  the 
year  1822,  after  deducting  the  sum  due  for  interest 
on  moneys  borrowed,  be  applied  towards  the  erection 
of  buildings  of  accommodation  on  the  eastern 
back  street. 

Resolved,  that  the  committee  of  superintendence 
be  authorized  and  required  to  propose  to  the  presi- 
dent and  directors  of  the  Literary  Fund  a  post- 
ponement for  one  year  of  the  period  of  commence- 
ment of  the  instalments  of  the  principal  borrowed 
of  the  said  Fund. 

Resolved,  that  in  the  event  of  the  agreement 
of  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary  Fund 
to  the  postponement  of  the  instalments  of  principal 
as  last  mentioned,  any  balance  that  may  remain 
on  hand  of  the  aforesaid  sums  of  money,  together 
with  the  annuity  of  the  year  1822,  after  deducting 
the  sums  due  for  interest,  be  applied  towards  the 
erection  of  buildings  of  accommodation  on  the 
western  back  street. 

Resolved,  that  Thomas  Jefferson  be  appointed 
rector  of  the  University  for  the  ensuing  four  years. 

Resolved,  that  Thomas  Jefferson  and  John  H. 
Cocke  be  appointed  a  committee  of  superintendence. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  389 


Resolved,  that  the  committee  of  superintendence 
be  authorized  to  communicate  to  Doctor  Thomas 
Cooper  the  delay  and  uncertainty  now  unavoidable, 
in  regard  to  the  time  of  opening  the  University, 
and  to  make  such  change  in  the  contracts  with 
him  as  to  them  may  seem  advisable. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

April  3,  1820. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University  of 
Virginia,  at  the  said  University,  on  Monday,  2d  of 
October,  1820,  present,  Thomas  Jefferson,  James 
Madison,  Robert  B.  Taylor,  John  H.  Cocke,  and 
Joseph  C.  Cabell; 

The  Board  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the 
annual  report,  and  not  having  time  to  go  through 
with  the  same,  adjourned  to  Tuesday,  3d  October. 


At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the 
University  of  Virginia,  held  on  3d  October,  1820, 
present,  Thomas  Jefferson,  James  Madison,  Robert 
B.  Taylor,  John  H.  Cocke  and  Joseph  C.  Cabell; 

The  Board  approved  the  arrangement  made  by 
the  committee  of  superintendence  relative  to  the 
annulment  of  the  contract  with  Doctor  Thomas 
Cooper. 

Resolved,  that  from  and  after  the  first  day  of 
October,  1820,  the  compensation  to  the  bursar  of 


39°  Jefferson's  Works 


the  University  for  his  services  shall  be  at  the  rate 
of  one  per  cent  on  the  amount  of  disbursements. 
*  Resolved,  that  Joseph  C.  Cabell  be  and  he  is 
hereby  desired  and  authorized  to  examine  and 
verify  the  accounts  of  the  preceding  year,  not 
already  examined  and  verified. 

Resolved,  that  the  committee  of  superintend- 
ence be  authorized  to  enter  into  negotiations  with 
the  following  persons,  with  the  view  of  engaging 
them  as  professors  of  the  University,  viz:  Mr. 
Bowditch  of  Salem  and  Mr.  Tichenor  of  Boston. 

Resolved,  that  in  the  negotiations  with  Mr.  Bow- 
ditch  and  Mr.  Tichenor,  the  committee  be  authorized 
to  offer  the  compensation  hereafter  specified,  viz : 

1.  Apartments. 

2.  A  salary  of  $2,000  per  annum. 

3.  A  fee  of  $10  for  each  student  engaged  to 
attend  the  lectures  of  the  professor. 

4.  If  the  aggregate  amount  of  the  salary  and  of 
the  fees  of  tuition  should  fall  short  of  $2,500,  in 
either  the  first,  second  or  third  year,  the  deficiency 
to  be  paid  out  the  funds  of  the  University. 

The  following  report  was  agreed  to: 
To  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund: 

.  In  obedience  to  the  act  of  the  general  assembly 
*of  Virginia,  requiring  that  the  rector  and  Visitors 
of  the  University  of  Virginia  should  make  report 
annually  to  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Literary  Fund  (to  be  laid  before  the  legislature  at 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       39 1 


their  next  succeeding  session),  embracing  a  full 
account  of  the  disbursements,  the  funds  on  hand, 
and  a  general  statement  of  the  condition  of  the 
said  University,  the  said  Visitors  make  the  follow- 
ing report: 

The  general  assembly  at  their  last  session  of 
1819-20  having  passed  an  act  authorizing  the  said 
Visitors,  for  the  purpose  of  finishing  the  buildings 
of  the  University,  to  borrow  the  sum  of  60,000 
dollars,  and  to  pledge  for  repayment  of  the  said 
sum  and  interest,  any  part  of  the  annual  appro- 
priation  of  15,000  dollars  heretofore  made  by  lawf 
the  Board  of  Visitors  at  their  semi-annual  meeting 
of  April  last  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the 
said  act,  and  of  the  authorities  therein  permitted 
to  them.  They  were  of  opinion,  in  the  first  place, 
that  it  would  be  most  expedient  to  complete  all 
the  buildings  necessary  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  professors  and  students  before  opening  the 
institution,  as  the  maintenance  of  that,  when 
opened,  by  absorbing  all  its  funds  would  leave 
nothing  to  complete  that  might  yet  be  requisite 
for  the  full  establishment  called  for  by  law. 

On  view  of  the  account  rendered  by  the  bursar 
and  proctor,  they  found  that  with  the  aid  of  the 
loan  authorized  (if  the  commencement  of  its  instal- 
ments for  repayment  could  be  suspended  four 
years),  and  of  their  annuity  during  the  same  time, 
they  might  accomplish  the  whole  of  the  buildings 
of  accommodation  for  the  professors  and  students, 


392  Jefferson's  Works 


according  to  the  estimates  heretofore  made  of 
•^•heir  probable  cost,  of  which  the  following  state- 
ment presents  a  summary  view: 


1820,  Apr.    The  existing  debts  are   $10,000 

To  complete  the  2  pavilions  and  31  dormi- 
tories, on  hand   18,000 

To  build  3  more  pavilions  and  24  dormitories 

to  complete  the  lawn   27,000 

To  build  3  Hotels  and  25  dormitories  complet- 
ing the  east  back  street   19,000 

1 82 1.  To  build  2  Hotels  and  Proctor's  house  and 

25  dormitories  completing  west  back  street  19,000 


$93,000 

Means. 

1820,  Apr.    Loan  from  Literary  Fund  of   40,000 

1821,  Jan.  1.  Annuity  of  15,000  D. — 2,400  int.  of  40,000  D.  .  12,600 

Additional  loan  of   20,000 

1822,  Jan.  1.  Annuity  of  15,000  D. — 3,600  D.  int.  of  60,000,  11,400 

84,000 

1823  Jan.  1.   Annuity  of  15,000  D. — 3,600  D.int.  of  60.000,  11,400 


$95,400 

They,  therefore,  proceeded  to  negotiate  a  loan  of 
40,000  dollars  from  the  president  and  directors  of 
the  Literary  Fund,  reimbursable  by  instalments  of 

14,244  dollars  a  year,  beginning  on  the  day  of 

April,  1824.  And  afterwards  a  second  loan  of 
20,000  dollars,  reimbursable  by  like  annual  instal- 
ments, commencing  from  the  day  when  the  others 
should  end. 

On  this  view  of  our  resources  the  Board  proceeded 
to  authorize  their  proctor  to  enter  into  contracts 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  393 

for  the  completion  of  the  buildings  already  begun, 
and  for  the  erection  of  those  still  wanting,  so  as 
to  provide  in  the  whole,  ten  pavilions  for  the  pro- 
fessors required  by  law,  five  hotels  for  dieting  the 
students  and  a  sixth  for  the  use  of  the  proctor, 
with  104  dormitories,  sufficient  for  lodging  208 
students;  and  they  instructed  him  to  make,  in 
his  contracts,  effectual  provision  that  the  whole 
shall  be  completed  in  the  autumn  of  the  ensuing 
year,  1821.  At  that  time,  therefore,  the  buildings 
of  accommodation  for  the  professors  and  students 
are  expected  to  be  all  ready  for  their  reception,  and 
the  institution  might  then  be  opened,  but  that 
the  remaining  engagements  for  the  building  and 
the  reimbursement  of  the  sums  borrowed  from  the 
Literary  Fund  will  require  the  whole  revenue  of 
the  University  for  seven  years  to  come,  that  is  to 

say  until  the  day  of  April,  1828. 

In  the  statement  of  expenditures  and  means  of 
the.  University  it  will  be  perceived  that  we  have 
not  taken  the  private  subscriptions  into  account. 
Of  these  2,079.33  dollars  of  the  first  instalment, 
3,914.13  dollars  of  the  second,  and  8,217.09  of  the 
third  are  still  due;  and  the  last,  amounting  to 
10,666.50,  will  become  due  on  the  first  day  of 
April  next.  But  of  these  some  loss  will  be  occasioned 
by  the  distresses  of  the  times;  and  the  residue, 
from  the  same  cause,  will  be  so  tardy  and  uncertain 
in  the  times  of  its  receipt,  that  the  Visitors  have 
not  thought  it  safe  to  found  on  it  any  stipulations 


394  Jefferson's  Works 


requiring  punctuality  in  their  fulfillment.  They 
have  thought  it  more  advisable  to  reserve  it  as  a 
supplementary  and  contingent  fund,  to  aid  the 
general  revenue,  as  it  shall  be  received,  and  to  meet 
casualties  unforeseen,  errors  of  estimate,  and 
expenses  other  than  those  of  mere  building. 

In  the  report  of  the  commissioners  who  met  at 
Rockfish  gap  on  the  ist  day  of  August,  1818,  it 
was  stated  that  "a  building  of  somewhat  more 
size  in  the  middle  of  the  grounds  may  be  called 
for  in  time,  in  which  may  be  rooms  for  religious 
worship  under  such  impartial  regulations  as  the 
Visitors  shall  prescribe,  for  public  examinations, 
for  a  library,  for  the  schools  of  music,  drawing  and 
other  associated  purposes."  The  expenses  of  this 
building  are  not  embraced  in  the  estimates  herein- 
before stated.  Its  cost  will  probably  be  of  about 
40,000  dollars,  and  its  want  will  be  felt  as  soon  as  the 
University  shall  open.  But  this  building  is  beyond 
the  reach  of  the  present  funds;  nor  are  these 
indeed  adequate  to  the  maintenance  of  the  insti- 
tution on  the  full  scale  enacted  by  the  legislature. 
That  body,  aware  that  professors  of  desirable 
eminence  could  not  be  expected  to  relinquish  the 
situations  in  which  they  might  be  found  for  others, 
new,  untried  and  unknown,  without  a  certainty 
of  adequate  compensation,  confided  to  the  discre- 
tion of  the  Visitors,  the  salaries  which  should  be 
stipulated  to  the  professors  first  employed.  But 
the  annuity  heretofore  appropriated  to  the  main- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  395 


tenance  of  the  University  cannot  furnish  sufficient 
inducement  to  ten  professors,  of  high  degree  each 
in  his  respective  line  of  science;  and  yet,  to  employ 
inferior  persons  would  be  to  stand  where  we  are 
in  science,  una  vailed  of  the  higher  advances  already 
made  elsewhere,  and  of  the  advantages  contem- 
plated by  the  statute  under  which  we  act. 

If  the  legislature  shall  be  of  opinion  that  the 
annuity  already  apportioned  to  the  establishment 
and  maintenance  of  an  institution  for  instruction 
in  all  the  useful  sciences,  is  its  proper  part  of  the 
whole  fund,  the  Visitors  will  faithfully  see  that  it 
shall  be  punctually  applied  to  the  remaining  engage- 
ments for  the  buildings,  and  to  the  reimbursement 
of  the  extra  sum  lately  received  from  the  general 
fund:  that  during  the  term  of  its  exclusive  appli- 
cation to  these  objects,  due  care  shall  be  taken  to 
preserve  the  buildings  erected  from  ruin  or  injury, 
and  at  the  end  of  that  term,  they  will  provide  for 
opening  the  institution  in  the  partial  degree  to 
which  its  present  annuity  shall  be  adequate.  If, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  legislature  shall  be  of  opinion 
that  the  sums  so  advanced  in  the  name  of  a  loan, 
from  the  general  fund  of  education,  were  legiti- 
mately applicable  to  the  purposes  of  an  University, 
that  its  early  commencement  will  promote  the 
public  good  by  offering  to  our  youth,  now  ready 
and  waiting  for  it,  an  early  and  near  resource  for 
instruction,  and,  by  arresting  the  heavy  tribute 
we  are  annually  paying  to  other  states  and  count  ne$ 


396  Jefferson's  Works 


for  the  article  of  education,  and  shall  think  proper 
to  liberate  the  present  annuity  from  its  engage- 
ments, the  Visitors  trust  it  will  be  in  their  power 
by  the  autumn  of  the  ensuing  year,  1821,  to  engage 
and  bring  into  place  that  portion  of  the  professors 
designated  by  the  law,  to  which  the  present  annuity 
may  be  found  competent;  or,  by  the  same  epoch, 
to  carry  into  full  execution  the  whole  objects  of  the 
law,  if  an  enlargement  be  made  of  its  participation 
in  the  general  fund,  adequate  to  the  full  establish- 
ment contemplated  by  the  law. 

The  accounts,  receipts,  disbursements  and  funds 
on  hand  for  the  year  ending  with  the  present  date, 
as  rendered  by  the  bursar  and  proctor  of  the  Uni- 
versity, are  given  with  this  report,  as  is  required  by 
law. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

October  3,  1820. 

And  the  Board  adjourned  without  day. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 


1820,  April  1.  A  special  meeting  of  the  Visitors 
of  the  University  having  been  called  in  the  month 
of  February,  to  be  held  on  this  day,  April  1,  signed 
by  Th.  Jefferson,  James  Madison,  Chapman  Johnson, 
Joseph  C.  Cabell,  James  Breckenridge  and  Robert 
Taylor,  and  duly  notified  to  John  H.  Cocke  to  whom 
no  opportunity  had  occurred  of  presenting  it  for 
his  signature,  the  said  Th.  Jefferson  and  James 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  397 


Madison  attended  accordingly,  but  not  constituting 
a  quorum,  no  proceedings  took  place. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia  at  the  said  University,  on  Monday  the  2d 
of  April  182 1,  present,  Th.  Jefferson,  rector;  James 
Breckenridge,  Chapman  Johnson  and  James  Madison. 

A  letter  having  been  received  by  the  rector  from 
Thomas  Appleton,  of  Leghorn,  stating  the  prices 
at  which  the  Ionic  and  Corinthian  capitals  wanting 
for  the  pavilions  of  the  University  may  be  furnished 
there  in  marble,  and  these  prices  appearing  to  be 
much  lower  than  they  would  cost  if  made  here  in 
stone,  resolved,  that  it  be  an  instruction  to  the 
committee  of  superintendence  to  procure  the  said 
capitals  in  marble  from  Italy. 

Resolved,  as  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  that  it  is 
expedient  to  procure  the  loan  of  60,000  dollars, 
or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  as  author- 
ized by  the  late  act  of  the  general  assembly,  con- 
cerning the  University  of  Virginia,  and  that  the 
committee  of  superintendence  be  instructed  to 
negotiate  the  same  with  the  president  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund  of  preference,  or  if  not  to  be 
obtained  from  them,  then  with  others,  according 
to  the  authorities  of  the  said  act. 

Resolved,  that  it  is  expedient  to  proceed  with 
the  building  of  the  library  on  the  plan  submitted 
to  the  Board:  provided  the  funds  of  the  Univer 


398 


Jefferson's  Works 


sity  be  adequate  to  the  completion  of  the  buildings 
already  begun,  and  to  the  building  the  western 
range  of  hotels  and  dormitories,  and  be  also  adequate 
to  the  completion  of  the  library  so  far  as  to  render 
the  building  secure  and  fit  for  use;  and  that  it  be 
an  instruction  to  the  committee  of  superintendence 
to  ascertain  as  accurately  as  may  be  the  state  of 
accounts  under  the  contracts  already  made,  the 
expenses  of  completing  the  buildings  begun  and 
contemplated.  And  not  to  enter  into  contracts 
for  the  library  until  they  are  fully  satisfied  that, 
without  interfering  with  the  finishing  of  all  the 
pavilions,  hotels  and  dormitories,  begun  and  to 
be  begun,  they  have  funds  sufficient  to  put  the 
library  in  the  condition  above  desciibed. 
And  the  Board  adjourns  without  day. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

October  2,  1820. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia,  by  special  call,  on  Thursday  the  29th 
of  November,  182 1,  at  the  University,  two  mem- 
bers only  attending,  to  wit:  Thomas  Jefferson  and 
Chapman  Johnson,  they  adjourned  to  the  next  day. 

November  30,  present,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Chapman 
Johnson,  James  Madison  and  John  Hartwell  Cocke. 

The  Board  being  informed  that  of  the  60,000 
dollars  permitted  to  be  borrowed  from  the  Literary 
Fund  by  the  act  of  the  last  general  assembly,  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  399 


sum  of  29,100  dollars  only  has  as  yet  been  obtained, 
and  that  there  is  uncertainty  as  to  the  time  when 
the  balance  may  be  obtained,  they  deem  it  expedient 
that  the  annuity  of  15,000  dollars,  receivable  on 
the  1  st  of  January  next,  be  applied  to  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  buildings  and  other  current  purposes, 
in  the  first  place,  and  that,  should  further  sums  be 
wanted  before  the  receipt  of  the  balance  of  the  said 
loan,  the  committee  of  superintendence  be  authorized 
to  borrow  from  the  bank  to  the  amount  of  that  bal- 
ance, to  be  replaced  by  the  said  balance  when  received. 

Resolved,  that  the  superintending  committee  be 
authorized  to  have  an  engraving  made  of  the 
ground-plat  of  the  buildings  of  the  University 
including  the  library,  and  so  many  copies  struck 
off  for  sale  as  they  shall  think  proper,  and  also  to 
engage  a  good  painter  to  draw  a  perspective  view 
of  the  upper  level  of  buildings,  to  be  engraved, 
yielding  to  him,  for  his  trouble,  the  patent  right, 
and  paying  his  reasonable  expenses  coming,  staying 
and  returning,  should  it  be  required. 

A  proposition  having  been  received  to  join  with 
other  seminaries  in  a  petition  of  Congress,  for  a 
repeal  of  the  duty  on  imported  books,  resolved, 
that  this  Board  will  concur  in  such  a  petition  and 
a  form  being  prepared  and  approved,  and  a  form 
also  of  a  letter  to  our  senators  and  representatives 
in  Congress  requesting  them  to  present  and  advocate 
the  said  petition,  the  rector  is  desired  to  authen- 
ticate and  forward  the  same. 


4°o  Jefferson's  Works 


A  form  of  a  report,  as  annually  required  to  be 
made  to  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund,  on  the  funds  and  condition  of  the  University, 
was  then  proposed,  amended  and  agreed  to  in  the 
following  words: 

To  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund: 

In  obedience  to  the  act  of  the  general  assembly 
of  Virginia,  requiring  that  the  rector  and  Visitors 
of  the  University  of  Virginia  shall  make  report 
annually  to  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Literary  Fund  (to  be  laid  before  the  legislature 
at  their  next  succeeding  session),  embracing  a 
full  account  of  the  disbursements,  the  funds  on  hand, 
and  a  general  statement  of  the  condition  of  the 
said  University,  the  said  rector  and  Visitors  make 
the  following  report: 

At  their  meeting  in  April  last,  the  attention  of 
the  Visitors  was  first  drawn  to  the  consideration 
of  the  act  of  the  late  general  assembly,  which 
authorized  the  Literary  Board  to  lend,  for  the 
use  of  the  University,  a  further  sum  of  60,000 
dollars  from  such  moneys  as  should  thereafter 
come  to  their  hands.  And  taking  such  view  as 
could  then  be  obtained  of  the  expenses  already 
incurred  for  the  lands,  buildings  and  accessory 
purposes,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  professors 
and  students  of  the  University,  so  far  as  already 
completed,  or  in  a  state  of  advancement,  and 
the  further  expenses  still  to  be  incurred  necessarily 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  4°* 


to  complete  those  accommodations,  they  concluded 
it  to  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  institution  to  obtain 
the  said  loan.  Application  was  accordingly  made 
to  the  Literary  Board,  a  sum  of  29,100  dollars 
was  obtained,  and  the  further  sum  of  30,900  dollars 
is  expected  so  soon  as  the  receipts  of  that  Board 
shall  enable  them  to  furnish  it. 

In  the  meantime  the  Board  deemed  it  incumbent 
to  obtain  as  early  as  possible  a  correct  statement 
of  the  actual  cost  of  what  was  already  done,  and 
a  probable  one  of  that  still  to  be  done,  estimated 
according  to  the  experience  now  obtained.  They, 
therefore,  instructed  their  proctor  to  apply  himself 
assiduously  to  the  completion  of  the  buildings 
generally,  to  a  settlement  of  all  accounts  of  the 
actual  cost  of  those  finished,  and  an  estimate, 
according  to  that,  of  what  would  be  the  cost  of 
those  still  to  be  finished.  The  completion  of  the 
buildings  of  accommodation,  which  are  in  four 
rows  of  about  600  feet  in  length  each,  as  may  be 
seen  by  the  plans  accompanying  this  report,  has 
been  pressed  with  as  much  effect  as  could  be 
expected;  insomuch  that  there  are  now  complete, 
and  in  readiness  for  occupation,  six  pavilions  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  professors,  eighty-two 
dormitories  for  that  of  the  students,  and  two  hotels 
for  their  dieting;  and  the  others  will  all  be  com- 
pleted in  the  ensuing  summer.  The  accounts  for 
the  construction  of  those  already  finished  have 
been  actually  settled;   and  the  probable  cost  of 

VOL.  XIX  26 


4Q2  Jefferson's  Works 


the  unfinished  has  been  estimated  according  to  the 
rates  which  the  others  have  been  found  to  cost. 

The  following  is  a  summary  view  of  the  actual 
expenditures  of  the  institution  from  the  beginning, 
of  those  yet  to  be  incurred  to  its  completion,  and 
of  the  funds  received  and  still  receivable,  as  nearly 
as  can  at  present  be  stated: 

6  Pavilions  finished  have  cost,   $52,713.76 

17  Capitals  for  them  expected  from  Italy 

are  to  cost  by  contract,   2,052.03 

2  Hotels  finished  have  cost   8,515.82 

82  Dormitories  finished  have  cost,   50,645.74 

  $113,927.32 

The  following  are  nearly  finished 
and  are  estimated  at  the  rates  the 
others  have  cost,  or  at  prices  actually 
contracted  for: 

4  Pavilions   $33,563-15 

4  Hotels   16,000.00 

27  Dormitories   11,952.21  61,515.36 

Back  yards  and  gardens   1,500.00 

Making  the  whole  cost  of  the  four  rows 

of  buildings  of  accommodation   $176,942.68 

The  purchase  of  245^  acres  of  land  and 
the  buildings  on  them,  past  compen- 
sations to  the  bursar  and  proctor,  hire 
and  maintenance  of  laborers,  and  all 
other  accessory  and  contingent  ex- 
penses  24,607.77 


Making  a  total  for  the  lands,  buildings, 

etc.,  complete,   $201,550.45 

To  which  add  for  interest  on  the  loans, 

calculated  to  December  3 1 ,  1821   6,160.25 


$207,710.70 


Supp  emetitary  Manuscripts  403 


The  funds  applied  and  applicable  to  these 
expenditures  are: 

The  sale  of  glebe  lands,   $3,104.09 

A.  State  certificate,  No.  32,  bearing  in- 
terest,   176.77 

Annuities  of  1819,  '20,  '21,   45,000.00 

Loan  of  1820,   60,000.00 

Loan  of  1821,     60,000.00 

Subscriptions  received  to  November  2  7 , 

'21   24,676.37! 

Balance  of  subscriptions  (due  19,668.91 

of  which  suppose  3,000  lost)   16,668.95 

 $209,626.18 

From  this  would  result  a  small  sur- 
plus of,   1,915.48 

$207,710.70 

According  to  the  proctor's  accounts  for  the 
present  year  (which,  with  the  bursar's,  are  herewith 
enclosed,  and)  which  contain  minuter  specifications 
of  the  expenditures. 

To  finish  and  pay  for  the  whole  of  the  build- 
ings of  accommodation  not  yet  finished  and 
paid  for  will  require  a  further  sum  to  be 

placed  at  his  command  of ,   $53,494  79 

The  resources  for  this  are: 
The  balance  of  the  loan  of  '21,  still  to  be 

received,   $30,900.00 

The  balance  still  due  of  subscription  moneys, 

separate,   16,668.9^ 

Cash  in  the  banks  undrawn  as  per  bursar's 

account,    2,301.23 

Dollars  in  the  bursar's  hands,  as  per  his 

account   ....  447.84 

State  certificate  No.  32,   176.77 

From  which  would  result  a  deficit  to  be  sup- 
plied from  the  annuity  of,   3,000.00 

  $53,494-79 


404  Jefferson's  Works 


So  far  then,  as  can  at  present  be  seen  (and  we 
are  now  so  near  the  end  of  this  work  that  there 
is  room  for  little  error)  the  funds  received  and 
receivable  will,  within  a  small  fraction,  pay  for 
the  lands  purchased,  for  the  whole  system  of  build- 
ings of  accommodation,  and  all  accessory  expenses. 

The  building  for  the  library,  comprehending 
halls  indispensably  necessary  for  other  public  pur- 
poses, and  estimated  by  the  proctor,  according  to 
past  experiences,  to  cost  46,847  dollars  will  remain 
to  be  erected  from  the  same  fund  of  the  annuity. 
The  anticipations  of  this  by  loans,  for  expediting 
the  other  buildings,  will  have  weakened  it  by 
nearly  one-half  its  amount  by  the  sums  of  interest 
to  which  it  is  subject,  and  will  consequently  retard 
the  commencement  of  its  applications  to  the  dis- 
charge of  the  sums  borrowed  by  annual  instal- 
ments, if  such  should  continue  to  be  the  will  of  the 
legislature. 

The  buildings  of  accommodation  will  be  finished, 
as  before  observed,  in  the  ensuing  summer,  and 
will  constitute  the  whole  establishment,  except 
that  of  the  library.  With  the  close  of  these  works 
the  accounts  of  their  costs  will  also  be  closed. 
These  will  be  first  examined  by  a  committee  of  the 
Visitors  that  nothing  may  enter  into  them  not 
sanctioned  by  the  Board.  They  will  then  be 
finally  submitted  to  the  accountant  of  the  Literary 
Board,  for  the  assurance  of  the  public  that  the 
moneys  have  been  correctly  and  faithfully  applied. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  405 

In  the  course  of  these  works,  as  is  unavoidable, 
perhaps,  generally  in  those  of  considerable  magni- 
tude, there  have  occured  instances  of  moneys  paid, 
not  in  direct  furtherance  of  the  legitimate  object. 
The  first  was  the  case  of  a  contract  by  the  Visitors 
of  the  Central  College  for  a  professor,  while  acting 
for  that  as  a  private  establishment,  and  under  an 
expectation  of  its  immediate  commencement.  But 
that  institution  being  afterwards  merged  in  this 
of  the  University,  and  the  enlargement  of  the 
plan  occasioning  that  of  the  time  of  its  commence- 
ment also,  it  became  important  that  that  contract 
should  be  rescinded.  This  was  done  on  a  just  and 
reasonable  compromise  and  indemnification  of  1 5,000 
dollars.  Another  instance  was  the  importation  of 
a  fine  artist  for  carving  the  capitals  of  the  more 
difficult  orders  of  the  buildings.  The  few  persons 
in  this  country  capable  of  that  work  were  able 
to  obtain  elsewhere  such  high  prices  for  their  skill 
and  labor  that  we  believed  it  would  be  economy 
to  procure  an  artist  from  some  country  where 
skill  is  more  abundant,  and  labor  cheap.  We  did 
so.  But  on  trial  the  stone  we  had  counted  on  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  University  was  found 
totally  unsusceptible  of  delicate  work;  and  some 
from  a  very  distant,  but  the  nearest  other  quarry 
known,  besides  a  heavy  expense  attending  its 
transportation,  was  extremely  tedious  to  work, 
and  believed  not  proof  against  the  influences  of 
the  weather.    In  the  meantime  we  had  inquired 


406  Jefferson's  Works 


and  learned  that  the  same  capitals  could  be  furnished 
in  Italy,  and  delivered  in  our  own  ports  for  a  half, 
or  third,  of  the  price,  in  marble,  which  they  would 
have  cost  us  here  in  doubtful  stone.  We  arrested 
the  work  here,  therefore,  and  compromised  with 
our  artist  at  the  expense  of  his  past  wages,  his 
board  and  passage  hither,  amounting  to  1,390 
dollars,  56  cents.  These  are  the  only  instances  of 
false  expense  which  have  occurred  within  our 
knowledge. 

The  two  pavilions  and  their  adjacent  dormitories, 
begun  and  considerably  advanced  by  the  authorities 
of  the  Central  College,  were  contracted  for  by  them, 
when  all  things  were  at  their  most  inflated  paper 
prices,  and,  therefore,  have  been  of  extraordinary 
cost.  But  all  the  buildings  since  done  on  the 
more  enlarged  scale  of  the  University,  have  been 
at  prices  of  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  per  cent  reduc- 
tion; and  it  is  confidently  believed  that,  with  that 
exception,  no  considerable  system  of  building, 
within  the  United  States  has  been  done  on  cheaper 
terms,  nor  more  correctly,  faithfully,  or  solidly 
executed,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  materials 
used. 

That  the  style  or  scale  of  the  buildings  should 
have  met  the  approbation  of  every  individual 
judgment  was  impossible  from  the  various  structure 
of  various  minds.  Whether  it  has  satisfied  the 
general  judgment  is  not  known  to  us.  No  pre- 
vious expression  of  that  was  manifested  but  in 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  407 

the  injunctions  of  the  law  to  provide  for  the  accom- 
modation of  ten  professors,  and  a  competent  num- 
ber of  students,  and  by  the  subsequent  enact- 
ments, implying  an  approbation  of  the  plan  reported 
by  the  original  commissioners,  on  the  requisition 
of  the  law  constituting  them,  which  plan  was 
exactly  that  now  carried  into  execution.  We  had, 
therefore,  no  supplementary  guide  but  our  own 
judgments,  which  we  have  exercised  conscientiously 
in  adopting  a  scale  and  style  of  building  believed 
to  be  proportioned  to  the  respectability,  the  means 
and  the  wants  of  our  country,  and  such  as  will 
be  approved  in  any  future  condition  it  may  attain. 
We  owed  to  it  to  do,  not  what  was  to  perish  with 
ourselves,  but  what  would  remain,  be  respected 
and  preserved  through  other  ages.  And  we  fondly 
hope  that  the  instruction  which  may  flow  from 
this  institution,  kindly  cherished,  by  advancing  the 
minds  of  our  youth  with  the  growing  science  of 
the  times,  and  elevating  the  views  of  our  citizens 
generally  to  the  practice  of  the  social  duties,  and 
the  functions  of  self  government,  may  ensure  to 
our  country  the  reputation,  the  safety  and  pros- 
perity, and  all  the  other  blessings  which  experience 
proves  to  result  from  the  cultivation  and  improve- 
ment of  the  general  mind.  And,  without  going 
into  the  monitory  history  of  the  ancient  world 
in  all  its  quarters,  and  at  all  its  periods,  that  of 
the  soil  on  which  we  live  and  of  its  occupants, 
indigenous  and  immigrant,  teaches  the  awful  lesson, 


4o8  Jefferson's  Works 


that  no  nation  is  permitted  to  live  in  ignorance 
with  impunity. 

And  the  Board  adjourned  without  day. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

November  29,  1821. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University  of 
Virginia  at  said  University,  on  Monday,  the  1st  of 
April,  1822 ;  present,  Thomas  Jefferson,  rector,  Joseph 
C.  Cabell  and  John  Hartwell  Cocke,  who,  not  being 
sufficient  to  constitute  a  quorum  for  buisness,  they 
adjourned  indefinitely. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

April  1,  1822. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia  at  the  said  University,  on  Monday,  the 
7th  of  October,  1822. 

Present,  Thomas  Jefferson,  rector,  James  Brecken- 
ridge,  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  John  H.  Cocke  and  James 
Madison. 

Resolved,  that  the  proctor  be  instructed  to  enter 
into  conferences  with  such  skillful  and  responsible 
undertakers  as  he  would  approve,  for  the  building 
of  the  library,  on  the  plan  heretofore  proposed, 
and  now  in  his  possession,  and  to  procure  from 
them  declarations  of  the  smallest  sums  for  which 
they  will  undertake  the  different  portions  of  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  409 

work  of  the  said  building;  each  portion  to  be  done 
as  well,  in  materials,  manner  and  sufficiency,  as 
the  best  of  the  same  kind  of  work  already  done  in 
the  preceding  buildings,  or  as  well  and  sufficiently 
as  shall  now  be  agreed  on;  that  (omitting  the 
capitals  of  the  columns,  which  would  be  procured 
elsewhere)  the  several  other  portions  being  speci- 
fied under  such  general  heads  and  details  as 
may  be  convenient  to  show  the  cost  of  each  and 
by  whom  undertaken,  fixing  also  the  time  within 
which  each  portion  shall  be  completed:  and 
that  his  agreements  be  provisional  only,  and 
subject  to  the  future  acceptance  or  refusal  of  the 
Visitors. 

Resolved,  that  the  committee  of  superintendence 
be  authorized  to  employ  a  collector  to  proceed  to 
the  collection  of  the  moneys  still  due  on  subscrip- 
tions, under  such  instruction  and  agreement  as 
they  shall  approve. 

Resolved,  that  the  examination  and  report  of 
the  account  of  the  bursar  of  the  University  of 
Virginia,  from  the  1st  day  of  October,  1820,  to 
the  31st  day  of  March,  182 1,  and  from  the  31st 
day  of  March,  1821,  to  the  27th  day  of  November, 
1 82 1,  made  by  John  H.  Cocke,  at  the  request  of 
the  rector,  by  his  letter  of  the  1st  of  December, 
1 82 1,  be  hereby  ratified  as  done  under  authority 
of  this  Board;  and  that  the  said  John  H.  Cocke 
be  and  he  is  hereby  appointed  to  examine  and 
verify  the  accounts  of  the  said  bursar,  from  the 


4io  Jefferson's  Works 


27th  day  of  November,  182 1,  to  this  date,  and 
make  report  thereof  to  this  Board. 

Resolved,  that  George  Loyall,  Esq.,  now  a  member 
of  this  Board,  appointed  on  the  resignation  of 
Robert  B.  Taylor,  be  added  to  the  committee  for 
settlement  of  the  bursar's  and  proctor's  accounts, 
with  authority  to  the  committee  to  act  singly  or 
together,  as  convenience  may  admit. 
The  following  report  was  then  agreed  to: 
To  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund: 

In  obedience  to  the  act  of  the  general  assembly 
of  Virginia,  requiring  that  the  rector  and  Visitors 
of  the  University  of  Virginia,  should  make  report 
annually  to  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Literary  Fund  (to  be  laid  before  the  legislature 
at  their  next  succeeding  session),  embracing  a  full 
account  of  the  disbursements,  the  funds  on  hand, 
and  a  general  statement  of  the  conditions  of  the 
University,  the  said  rector  and  Visitors  make  the 
following  report : 

The  Visitors,  considering  as  the  law  of  their 
duty  the  report  of  the  commissioners  of  181 8 
which  was  made  to  the  legislature,  and  acted  on 
by  them,  from  time  to  time  subsequently,  have 
completed  all  the  buildings  proposed  by  that  report, 
except  one;  that  is  to  say,  ten  distinct  houses  or 
pavilions  containing  each  a  lecturing  room,  with 
generally  four  other  apartments  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  a  professor  and  his  family,  and  with  a 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  411 


garden  and  the  requisite  family  offices;  six  hotels 
for  dieting  the  students,  with  a  single  room  in  each 
for  a  refectory,  and  two  rooms,  a  garden  and  offices 
for  the  tenant ;  and  a  hundred  and  nine  dormitories, 
sufficient  each  for  the  accommodation  of  two  stu- 
dents, arranged  in  four  distinct  rows  between  the 
pavilions  and  hotels,  and  united  with  them  by 
covered  ways;  which  buildings  are  all  in  readiness 
for  occupation,  except  that  there  is  still  some 
plastering  to  be  done,  now  in  hand,  which  will 
be  finished  early  in  the  present  season,  the  gardens, 
grounds  and  garden  walls  to  be  completed,  and 
some  columns  awaiting  their  capitals  not  yet  received 
from  Italy.  These  buildings  are  mostly  paid  for 
by  the  moneys  which  have  been  received,  and  it 
is  still  expected  they  would  be  completely  so  by  the 
subscriptions  due,  were  they  in  hand.  But  the 
slowness  of  their  collection  will  render  it  necessary 
to  make  good  their  deficiencies,  in  the  first  instance, 
out  of  the  annuity  of  the  ensuing  years,  to  be 
replaced  to  that  fund  again  by  the  subscriptions 
as  they  come  in. 

The  remaining  building,  necessary  to  complete 
the  whole  establishment,  and  called  for  by  the 
report  of  1818,  which  was  to  contain  rooms  for 
religious  worship,  for  public  examinations,  for  a 
library,  and  for  other  associated  purposes,  is  not 
yet  begun  for  want  of  funds.  It  was  estimated 
heretofore  by  the  proctor,  according  to  the  prices 
which  the  other  buildings  have  actually  cost,  at 


4i2  Jefferson's  Works 


the  sum  of  46,847  dollars.  The  Visitors,  from  the 
beginning,  have  considered  it  as  indispensable  to 
complete  all  the  buildings  before  opening  the 
institution;  because,  from  the  moment  that  shall 
be  opened,  the  whole  income  of  the  University 
will  be  absorbed  by  the  salaries  of  the  professors, 
and  other  incidentals  and  current  expenses,  and 
nothing  will  remain  to  erect  any  building  still 
wanting  to  complete  the  system.  They  are  still 
of  opinion,  therefore,  that  it  is  better  to  postpone 
for  a  while,  the  commencement  of  the  institution, 
and  then  to  open  it  in  full  and  complete  system, 
than  to  begin  prematurely  in  an  unfinished  state, 
and  go  on,  perhaps  forever,  on  the  contracted  scale 
of  local  academies,  utterly  inadequate  to  the  great 
purposes  which  the  report  of  181 8  and  the  legis- 
lature have  hitherto  had  in  contemplation.  They 
believe  that,  in  that  imperfect  state,  it  will  offer 
little  allurement  to  other  than  neighboring  students, 
and  that  professors  of  the  first  eminence  in  their 
respective  lines  of  science,  will  not  be  induced  to 
attach  their  reputations  to  an  institution,  defective 
in  its  outset,  and  offering  no  pledge  of  rising  to 
future  distinction.  Yet  the  Visitors  consider  the 
procuring  such  characters  (and  it  will  certainly  be 
their  aim)  as  the  peculiar  feature  which  is  to  give 
reputation  and  value  to  the  institution,  and  to 
constitute  its  desirable  and  important  attraction. 
But  the  present  state  of  the  funds  renders  the 
prospect  of  finishing  the  last  building  indefinitely 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  413 


distant.  The  interest  of  the  sums  advanced  to 
the  institution  now  absorbs  nearly  half  its  income. 
A  suspension  of  interest  indeed,  for  three  or  four 
years,  would  give  time  for  erecting  the  building 
with  the  established  annuity ;  but  subsequent  repay- 
ment of  the  principal  from  that  annuity  would 
remove  the  opening  of  the  institution  to  a  very 
remote  period. 

On  this  view  of  the  condition  of  the  University, 
the  Visitors  think  it  their  duty  to  state,  if  the 
legislature  shall  be  of  opinion  that  the  sums  advanced 
to  the  University,  in  the  name  of  loans,  from  the 
general  fund  for  education,  have  been  applied  to 
their  legitimate  object,  and  shall  think  proper  to 
liberate  the  annuity  from  their  reimbursement,  it 
will  suffice  in  three  or  four  years  to  complete  the 
last  building,  and  the  institution  may  be  opened 
at  the  end  of  that  term.  And  further,  that  if  the 
requisite  sum  can  be  supplied  from  the  same  or 
any  other  fund,  then  the  University  may  be  put 
into  as  full  operation  as  its  income  will  admit,  in 
the  course  of  the  year  ensuing  the  present  date, 
and  while  the  remaining  building  will  be  proceeding 
on  such  supplementary  fund.  This,  however,  or 
whatever  else  their  wisdom  may  desire,  is  subject 
to  their  discretion  to  which  the  Visitors  will  in 
duty  conform. 

In  the  same  report  of  the  commissioners  of  181 8 
it  was  stated  by  them  that  "in  conformity  with 
the  principles  of  constitution,  which  place  all  sects 


414  Jefferson's  Works 


of  religion  on  an  equal  footing,  with  the  jealousies 
of  the  different  sects  in  guarding  that  equality 
from  encroachment  or  surprise,  and  with  the  senti- 
ments of  the  legislature  in  freedom  of  religion, 
manifested  on  former  occasions,  they  had  not  pro- 
posed that  any  professorship  of  divinity  should  be 
established  in  the  University;  that  provision,  how- 
ever, was  made  for  giving  instruction  in  the  Hebrew, 
Greek  and  Latin  languages,  the  depositories  of  the 
originals,  and  of  the  earliest  and  most  respected 
authorities  of  the  faith  of  every  sect,  and  for  courses 
of  ethical  lectures,  developing  those  moral  obliga- 
tions in  which  all  sects  agree.  That,  proceeding 
thus  far,  without  offence  to  the  constitution,  they* 
had  left,  at  this  point,  to  every  sect  to  take  into 
their  own  hands  the  office  of  further  instruction 
in  the  peculiar  tenet  of  each." 

It  was  not,  however,  to  be  understood  that 
instruction  in  religious  opinion  and  duties  was 
meant  to  be  precluded  by  the  public  authorities, 
as  indifferent  to  the  interests  of  society.  On  the 
contrary,  the  relations  which  exist  between  man 
and  his  Maker,  and  the  duties  resulting  from 
those  relations,  are  the  most  interesting  and  import- 
ant to  every  human  being,  and  the  most  incumbent 
on  his  study  and  investigation.  The  want  of 
instruction  •  in  the  various  creeds  of  religious  faith 
existing  among  our  citizens  presents,  therefore,  a 
chasm  in  a  general  institution  of  the  useful  sciences. 
But  it  was  thought  that  this  want,  and  the  entrust- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  415 


ment  to  each  society  of  instruction  in  its  own 
doctrine,  were  evils  of  less  danger  than  a  permission 
to  the  public  authorities  to  dictate  modes  or  prin- 
ciples of  religious  instruction,  or  than  opportunities 
furnished  them  by  giving  countenance  or  ascend- 
ancy to  any  one  sect  over  another.  A  remedy,  how- 
ever, has  been  suggested  of  promising  aspect, 
which,  while  it  excludes  the  public  authorities 
from  the  domain  of  religious  freedom,  will  give  to 
the  sectarian  schools  of  divinity  the  full  benefit 
the  public  provisions  made  for  instruction  in  the 
other  branches  of  science.  These  branches  are 
equally  necessary  to  the  divine  as  to  the  other 
professional  or  civil  characters,  to  enable  them  to 
fulfill  the  duties  of  their  calling  with  understanding 
and  usefulness.  It  has,  therefore,  been  in  con- 
templation, and  suggested  by  some  pious  individuals, 
who  perceive  the  advantages  of  associating  other 
studies  with  those  of  religion,  to  establish  their 
religious  schools  on  the  confines  of  the  University, 
so  as  to  give  to  their  students  ready  and  convenient 
access  and  attendance  on  the  scientific  lectures  of 
the  University;  and  to  maintain,  by  that  means, 
those  destined  for  the  religious  professions  on  as 
high  a  standing  of  science,  and  of  personal  weight 
and  respectability,  as  may  be  obtained  by  others 
from  the  benefits  of  the  University.  Such  establish- 
ments would  offer  the  further  and  greater  advantage 
of  enabling  the  students  of  the  University  to  attend 
religious  exercises  with  the  professor  of  their  par- 


4i6  Jefferson's  Works 


ticular  sect,  either  in  the  rooms  of  the  building 
still  to  be  erected,  and  destined  to  that  purpose 
under  impartial  regulations,  as  proposed  in  the 
same  report  of  the  commissioners,  or  in  the  lecturing 
room  of  such  professor.  To  such  propositions  the 
Visitors  are  disposed  to  lend  a  willing  ear,  and 
would  think  it  their  duty  to  give  every  encourage- 
ment, by  assuring  to  those  who  might  choose  such 
a  location  for  their  schools,  that  the  regulations 
of  the  University  should  be  so  modified  and  accom- 
modated as  to  give  every  facility  of  access  and 
attendance  to  their  students,  with  such  regulated 
use  also  as  may  be  permitted  to  the  other  students, 
of  the  library  which  may  hereafter  be  acquired, 
either  by  public  or  private  munificence.  But  always 
understanding  that  these  schools  shall  be  indepen- 
dent of  the  University  and  of  each  other.  Such 
an  arrangement  would  complete  the  circle  of  the 
useful  sciences  embraced  by  this  institution,  and 
would  fill  the  chasm  now  existing,  on  principles 
which  would  leave  inviolate  the  constitutional 
freedom  of  religion,  the  most  inalienable  and  sacred 
of  all  human  rights,  over  which  the  people  and 
authorities  of  this  state,  individually  and  publicly, 
have  ever  manifested  the  most  watchful  jealousy: 
and  could  this  jealousy  be  now  alarmed,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  legislature,  by  what  is  here  suggested, 
the  idea  will  be  relinquished  on  any  surmise  of 
disapprobation  which  they  might  think  proper  to 
express. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  4*7 


A  committee  of  the  Board  was  duly  appointed 
to  settle  finally  the  accounts  of  all  receipts  and 
disbursements,  from  the  commencement  of  the 
Central  College  to  the  entire  completion  of  the 
four  ranges  of  buildings  of  the  University.  They 
found  it  necessary  to  employ  a  skillful  accountant 
to  make  up  a  complete  set  of  books,  in  regular 
form,  wherein  all  the  accounts,  general  and  par- 
ticular, should  be  stated,  so  as  that  every  dollar 
might  be  traced  from  its  receipt  to  its  ultimate 
expenditure,  and  the  clearest  view  be  thus  exhibited 
of  the  faithful  application  of  the  moneys  placed 
under  the  direction  of  the  Board.  This  work  has 
taken  more  time  than  expected;  and  although 
considerably  advanced  is  not  entirely  completed. 
Until  its  completion,  however,  the  committee  cannot 
proceed  on  the  final  settlement  with  which  they 
are  charged.  The  bursar's  accounts  for  the  year 
preceding  this  date  are  rendered  herewith;  as  are 
also  the  proctor's  for  the  first  six  months;  but  his 
books  and  papers  being  necessarily  in  the  hands 
of  the  accountant,  his  account  for  the  last  year 
could  not  as  yet  be  prepared.  The  settlement  by 
the  committee,  when  made,  will  be  transmitted  as 
a  supplementary  document,  to  the  Literary  Board, 
as  well  as  for  its  regular  audit  by  their  accountant, 
as  to  be  laid  before  the  legislature. 

And  the  Board  adjourned  without  day. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

October  7,  1822. 

VOL.   XIX  27 


4*8  Jefferson's  Works 


Monticello,  December  23,  1822. 
Sir, — According  to  the  requisitions  of  the  law, 
I  now  transmit  to  the  president  and  directors  of 
the  Literary  Fund,  for  communication  to  the 
legislature,  the  annual  report  of  the  Visitors  of 
the  University  of  Virginia,  bearing  date  the  7th 
of  October  last.  At  that  date  the  regular  books 
were  not  yet  completed  which  were  under  prepa- 
ration for  the  purpose  of  exhibiting  a  clear  and 
methodical  view  of  the  application  of  all  the  moneys 
which  have  been  received  and  employed  on  this 
institution.  From  the  best  view  which,  before 
that  time  had  been  taken  of  the  affairs  of  the  Uni- 
versity it  was  expected,  as  is  stated  in  this  report, 
that  the  buildings  now  prepared  would  be  com- 
pletely paid  for  by  the  subscriptions  still  due. 
These  books  have  been  since  completed,  and  the 
result  (as  appears  by  the  certificates  herewith 
enclosed)  is  that  the  institution  has  received  from 


the  beginning: 

To  the  23d  of  the  last  month,  in  the  whole,  and  from 

all  funds,  the  sum  of,   $199, 149. 98^ 

And  is  still  to  receive  of  subscriptions  unpaid   1 8, 3 43. 43  \ 


$217,503.42 

That  there  has  been  paid,  within  the  same  period  for 

the  purposes  of  the  institution,  the  sum  of,   $199, 159. 98^ 

And  there  remains  to  be  paid  debts,  settled  and  un- 
settled about     27,001.63 


$226,161. 6i^ 

Being  more  than  the  arrearages  of  subscription  will 

pay  by,   $8,658. 19$ 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  4*9 


which  sum  must,  therefore,  necessarily  come  from 
the  annuity  of  the  ensuing  year.  Some  finishings, 
of  small  amount,  to  the  garden  walls  and  pave- 
ments also  are  still  wanting,  and  there  will  be  some 
loss  of  subscriptions  by  bankruptcies  and  removals, 
though  not  considerable  in  proportion  to  the  whole 
sum  subscribed.  A  collector,  employed  some  time 
since,  gives  reason  to  believe  that  the  arrearages 
which  are  separate  will  be  generally  paid  up  in 
the  course  of  the  ensuing  spring. 

The  accounts  of  the  bursar  and  proctor  have 
been  examined,  from  the  beginning  to  the  same 
date  of  November  23d,  by  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Visitors  appointed  a  committee  for  that  purpose, 
have  been  tested  by  their  vouchers,  and  the  result 
certified  in  the  books  by  the  committee,  as  is  shown 
by  the  certificates,  copies  of  which  accompany 
this  report.  From  this  it  will  appear  that,  in  a 
course  of  so  great  expenditure,  every  article  (a 
single  one  excepted  of  seventy-five  cents  only)  has 
been  satisfactorily  vouched  as  faithfully  applied  to 
the  purposes  of  the  institution,  with  the  sanction 
of  the  Visitors.  The  bursar  and  proctor  will  pro- 
ceed without  delay,  with  their  accounts  and  vouchers, 
to  settle  with  the  public  accountant  the  trust  which 
they  have  so  far  and  so  correctly  executed.  The 
proctor's  last  semi-annual  account,  not  ready  at 
the  date  of  the  report,  is  now  transmitted. 

An  estimate  made  by  the  proctor  at  an  early 
period,  supposed  that  the  last  building  called  for 


420  Jefferson's  Works 


by  the  report  of  1818  and  not  yet  executed,  would 
probably  cost  the  sum  of  46,847  dollars,  but  this 
did  not  include  two  considerable  appendages  neces- 
sary to  connect  it  with  the  other  buildings.  An 
estimate  including  these,  now  recently  made  by 
the  principal  undertakers  and  executors  of  the 
other  buildings,  raises  its  amount  to  about  one- 
third  more. 

It  is  by  instruction  from  the  Visitors  that  I  com- 
municate facts  which,  resulting  from  investigation 
not  concluded  at  the  date  of  their  report,  and 
consequently  not  known  to  them,  constitute  an 
important  supplement  to  the  matter  of  their  report, 
to  which  I  add  the  assurance  of  my  high  con- 
sideration. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 


A  meeting  of  the  rector  and  Visitors  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia  was  held  at  the  University  on 
7th  April,  1823,  at  which  were  present,  Thomas 
Jefferson,  James  Madison,  Chapman  Johnson,  George 
Loyall  and  Joseph  C.  Cabell. 

It  was  resolved,  that  the  loan  of  sixty  thousand 
dollars,  which  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Literary  Fund  were  authorized  by  an  act  of  the 
last  general  assembly  to  make  to  the  University,  be 
accepted,  and  that  the  rectoi  be  authorized  to 
execute  the  proper  bonds,  and  to  take  the  necessary 
steps  for  drawing  the  money,  and  that  it  be  drawn 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  421 


in  the  following  time  and  sums:  that  is  to  say, 
thirty  thousand  dollars  immediately,  and  the  remain- 
ing thirty  thousand  dollars  on  the  first  day  of 
January  next;  or  in  such  other  sums,  and  at  such 
other  times,  as  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Literary  Fund  and  the  executive  committee  of  the 
University  may  agree  upon. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  charges  of  Mr.  Coffee 
for  materials,  packages,  etc.,  be  allowed  him. 

An  anonymous  letter,  supposed  to  be  in  the  hand- 
writing of  James  Oldham,  a  carpenter,  formerly 
employed  at  the  University,  which  bears  date  18 
January,  1822  (by  error  as  is  supposed  for  1823), 
and  addressed  to  Thomas  Griffin,  Esq.,  a  member 
of  the  legislature  of  Virginia,  containing  various 
charges,  of  misconduct,  against  Arthur  S.  Brocken- 
brough,  the  proctor  of  the  University,  having  been 
laid  before  the  Board  by  the  said  Brockenbrough, 
and  the  Board  thinking  that  if  the  said  James 
Oldham  will  avow  himself  the  author  of  this  letter, 
and  profess  himself  willing  to  afford  any  evidence 
of  these  charges,  they  ought  to  be  investigated. 

Therefore,  resolved,  that  the  executive  committee 
be  charged  with  the  duty  of  calling  on  the  said 
Oldham,  to  declare  whether  he  is  the  author  of  the 
letter  aforesaid,  and  is  willing  to  give  any  informa- 
tion as  to  the  charges  therein  mentioned,  and  if 
he  avow  himself  the  author,  and  willing  to  give 
the  information,  then  that  they  enter  into  the 
investigation  thereof,  upon  evidence  taken  in  such 


422  Jefferson's  Works 


mode  as  they  may  prescribe,  anr1  report  thereon 
to  this  Board  at  their  next  meeting 

Resolved,  that  the  executive  committee  be  author- 
ized and  required  to  employ  from  time  to  time 
an  accountant,  to  settle  and  state  the  accounts  of 
the  University  and  to  report  thereon  to  the  Board, 
at  each  meeting,  and  that  they  allow  to  the  said 
accountant  a  reasonable  compensation  for  his 
service. 

Resolved,  that  Joseph  C.  Cabell  and  John  H. 
Cocke,  or  either  of  whom  may  act,  be  appointed 
a  committee  to  settle  and  report  to  the  Board  the 
accounts  of  the  bursar  and  proctor  of  the  Univer- 
sity, with  authority,  if  they  deem  it  expedient,  to 
require  a  statement  thereof  by  the  accountant. 

The  Board  adjourns  indefinitely. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

April  7,  1823. 


A  meeting  of  the  rector  and  Visitors  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia  was  held  at  the  University  on 
the  6th  October,  1823,  at  which  were  present 
Thomas  Jefferson,  James  Madison,  James  Brecken- 
ridge,  John  H.  Cocke,  George  Loyall  and  Joseph  C. 
Cabell. 

Resolved,  that  the  Board  approves  of  the  con- 
tract entered  into  with  Giacomo  Raggi,  for  furnish- 
ing bases  of  marble  of  Cararra  for  the  columns  of 
the  rotunda. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  423 


Resolved,  that  they  recommend  to  the  executive 
committee  to  procure  capitals  of  the  same  marble 
for  the  same  columns  if  practicable,  on  terms  not 
higher  than  those  offered  by  Thos.  Appleton. 

Resolved,  that  they  recommend  also  to  the  said 
committee  to  procure  squares  of  marble  for  paving 
the  portico  of  the  rotunda,  if  they  find  that  it  can 
be  done  on  terms  preferable  to  what  it  will  cost 
to  have  the  same  paved  with  country  stone. 

Resolved,  that  it  be  an  instruction  to  the  collector 
of  the  University  to  call  once  more  on  the  sub- 
scribers who  are  in  arrear,  for  the  payment  of 
their  arrears,  that  from  those  not  ready  to  make 
payment,  he  may  receive,  instead  thereof,  bonds  or 
notes  from  those  who  have  not  already  given 
them,  payable  in  ninety  days;  and  if  these  be  not 
given,  that  he  institute  suits  in  the  proper  court 
with  instructions  to  the  attorney  engaged  to  press 
the  suits  to  execution  with  the  least  delay  practicable. 

Resolved,  that  the  Board  think  it  expedient  to 
continue  the  collector  so  long  as  the  executive 
committee  may  deem  his  employment  necessary 
to  finish  the  collection. 

A  report  to  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
Literary  Fund  having  been  proposed,  was  agreed  to. 

Th.  Jefferson, 

October  6,  1823, 


424  Jefferson's  Works 


To  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund: 

In  obedience  to  the  law  requiring  that  the  rector 
and  Visitors  of  the  University  of  Virginia  should 
make  report  annually  to  the  president  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund  (to  be  laid  before  the  legis- 
lature at  their  next  succeeding  session),  embracing 
a  full  account  of  the  disbursements,  the  funds  on 
hand,  and  a  general  statement  of  the  condition  of 
the  said  University,  the  said  rector  and  Visitors 
make  the  following  report: 

In  conformity  with  the  act  of  the  general  assembly 
of  February  5  of  the  present  year,  requiring  that, 
out  of  the  invested  capital  then  lying  in  the  Literary 
Fund,  there  should  be  loaned,  by  the  president  and 
directors  of  the  said  fund,  to  the  rector  and  Visitors 
of  the  University  of  Virginia,  for  the  purpose  of 
completing  the  buildings,  and  making  the  necessary 
preparations  for  putting  the  said  University  into 
operation,  any  sum  required  by  the  said  rector  and 
Visitors,  not  exceeding  that  of  60,000  dollars;  the 
Visitors  at  their  meeting  on  the  7th  of  April  last, 
deemed  it  necessary  for  the  institution  to  require 
the  whole  of  the  said  sum,  but  that  it  should  be 
drawn  in  different  portions  and  at  different  times, 
as  it  should  be  wanting,  so  far  as  the  Literary 
Board  should  think  advisable.  There  was  accord- 
ingly received,  by  an  order  of  the  said  Board,  in 
the  month  of  May  last,  a  sum  of  forty  thousand 
dollars.    *******  jn  consequence  hereof  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  425 


larger  building,  for  a  library  and  other  purposes 
was  commenced  and  has  been  carried  on  with 
activity,  insomuch  that  its  walls  are  now  ready 
to  receive  their  roof;  but  that  being  of  hemispher- 
ical form  and  pressing  outwardly  in  every  direction, 
it  has  been  thought  not  advisable  to  place  it  on 
the  walls  in  their  present  green  state,  but  rather 
to  give  them  time  to  settle  and  dry  until  the  ensuing 
season,  when  the  roof  will  be  ready,  and  the  walls 
in  a  proper  condition  to  receive  it.  Whether  the 
interior  work  of  the  building  will  be  finished  within 
the  ensuing  year  is  doubtful. 

The  report  of  the  7  th  of  October  of  the  last  year 
stated  that  the  buildings  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  professors  and  students  were  in  readiness  for 
occupation,  except  as  to  small  articles  of  plaster- 
ing then  on  hand,  the  garden  walls  and  grounds, 
and  some  columns  which  awaited  their  capitals 
from  abroad.  These  finishings  are  done,  the  capitals 
are  received  and  put  up;  and  the  whole  of  these 
buildings  are  now  in  perfect  readiness  for  putting 
the  instituiton  into  operation.  And  this  might  be 
done  (taking  reasonable  time  for  procuring  pro- 
fessors) at  the  close  of  the  ensuing  year,  1824, 
were  its  funds  liberated  from  their  present  incum- 
brances; but  these  remove  the  epoch  to  a  very 
distant  time.  The  several  sums  advanced  from 
the  Literary  Fund  as  loans,  when  the  balance  of 
the  last  shall  have  been  received,  will  amount  to 
180,000  dollars,  bearing  a  present  interest  of  10,800 


426 


Jefferson's  Works 


dollars.  This,  with  the  cost  of  the  necessary  care 
and  preservation  of  the  establishment  will  leave, 
of  the  annual  endowment  of  the  University,  a  sur- 
plus of  between  two  and  three  thousand  dollars 
only,  with  its  compound  increase  for  the  redemption 
of  the  principal.  This  being  as  before  mentioned, 
of  i So, ooo  dollars,  will  be  extinguished  by  the 
annual  payment  of  a  constant  sum  of  2,500  dollars 
at  the  end  of  twenty-five  years,  a  term  too  distant 
for  the  education  of  any  person  already  born,  or 
to  be  bom  for  some  time  to  come;  and  within 
that  period  a  great  expense  will  be  incurred  in  the 
mere  preservation  of  the  buildings  and  appurte- 
nances. These  are  views  which  it  is  the  duty  of 
the  Visitors  to  present,  and  to  leave  to  the  wisdom 
and  paternal  consideration  of  the  legislature,  to 
whose  care  are  confided  the  instruction,  and  other 
interests  of  the  present,  as  well  as  of  the  future 
generations  proceeding  from  us. 

That  report,  with  the  letter  of  the  23d  accom- 
panying  it,  state  a  alsc  that  the  cuil dings  cf  accom- 
modation for  the  professors  and  students  were  so 
far  paid  for  as  that  the  arrearages  of  subscriptions 
still  due  being  18,343  dollars  43-J  cents  would, 
when  received,  complete  their  payment  to  within 
the  sum  ef  S.65S  cellars  19+  cents.  While  there 
were  other  funds  to  which  present  recourse  could 
be  had,  it  had  been  deemed  reasonable  to  indulge 
the  convenience  of  such  subscribers  as  found  diffi- 
culties  in  paying  their  instalments  rigorously  at 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  427 

the  periods  prescribed.  But  that  the  arrears  having 
then  become  urgently  necessary,  an  active  collector 
had  been  employed  to  settle  and  call  for  them.  In 
the  course  of  the  year  he  has  collected,  of  these 
arrearages,  the  sum  of  4,825  dollars  77^  cents; 
he  has  obtained  bonds  or  promises,  verbal  or  written, 
for  prompt  payment,  deemed  good,  to  the  amount 
of  10,107  dollars  93!  cents;  and  as  to  the  remainder, 
some  of  the  subscribers  have  not  yet  been  called 
on,  some  have  removed  out  of  the  State,  and  some 
become  insolvent;  of  this  remainder,  he  considers 
932  dollars  25  cents  sperate,  and  the  residue, 
between  2,500  and  2,600  dollars  as  desperate; 
which  on  43,808  dollars,  the  whole  sum  subscribed, 
will  be  an  ultimate  loss  of  nearly  6  per  cent.  This 
will  so  far  increase  the  deficit  of  8,658. 19^  before 
stated  as  falling  short  of  paying  for  the  four  rows 
of  buildings,  and  so  far  add  to  the  charge  on  the 
funds  on  hand  or  still  to  accrue.  This  state  of 
things  obliges  a  call  for  peremptory  and  prompt 
payment  of  these  arrearages,  which  cannot  be 
thought  unreasonable  by  the  subscribers  who  have 
been  so  far  indulged  already,  when  it  is  considered 
that  these  works  were  engaged  on  the  faith  of  the 
sums  subscribed,  so  far  as  their  amount,  that  those 
who  undertook  them  have  accordingly  executed 
them,  and  are  now  justly  entitled  to  the  com- 
pensation stipulated.  We  trust,  therefore,  that, 
in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  twelve  months,  these 
arrearages  will  be  paid  up,  except  such  as  inter- 


428 


Jefferson's  Works 


vening  circumstances  may  have  rendered  desperate. 
A  general  statement  of  the  receipts  and  expendi- 
tures, from  all  funds  and  for  all  purposes,  from  the 
beginning  of  the  establishment  to  the  ist  of  October 
of  the  last  year,  was  communicated  for  the  legis- 
lature, at  their  last  session.  Those  of  the  bursar 
and  proctor,  for  the  year  ending  the  ist  day  of 
this  present  October  are  herewith  rendered.  They 
have  been  duly  settled,  and  tested  by  their  vouchers, 
by  the  same  accountant  and  committee  employed 
on  the  former  occasion,  and  will  be  duly  submitted 
by  those  officers,  for  audit  by  the  accountant  of 
the  Literary  Board. 

Th.  Jefferson. 

October  6,  1823. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia,  held  at  the  said  University  on  Monday, 
the  5th  day  of  April,  1824,  as  prescribed  by  the 
Governor  of  the  Commonwealth;  present,  James 
Madison,  Chapman  Johnson,  John  H.  Cocke  and 
Thomas  Jefferson. 

On  a  view  of  the  commissions  produced,  and  of 
a  letter  from  the  Governor,  dated  the  ist  of  March 
last  past,  it  appears  that  Thomas  Jefferson,  James 
Madison,  Chapman  Johnson,  Joseph  C.  Cabell, 
George  Loyall,  James  Breckenridge  and  John  H. 
Cocke  were  on  the  same  ist  day  of  the  said  month 
of  March  appointed  by  the  Governor,  with  advice 
of  counsel,  Visitors  of  the  said  University. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  429 


The  Board  proceeded  to  the  appointment  of  a 
rector,  and  Thomas  Jefferson  was  appointed;  and 
being  of  opinion  that  the  other  officers  of  the  insti- 
tution continue  in  office  of  course,  they  deem 
reappointment  unnecessary. 

The  legislature,  at  their  late  session,  having 
released  to  the  University  the  payment  of  interest 
on  the  sum  of  180,000  dollars,  advanced  by  the 
Literary  Fund  for  the  accomplishment  of  its  build- 
ings, with  the  view  that  the  institution  may  be 
brought  into  operation  with  as  little  delay  as 
practicable,  the  Board  now  proceeds  to  take  such 
preparatory  measures  as  can  be  taken  at  this  time, 
to  carry  that  view  into  effect. 

From  accounts  and  estimates  now  rendered  by 
the  bursar  and  proctor,  it  appears  that,  on  the 
last  day  of  the  preceding  year,  1823,  the  funds 
of  the  University  in  hand  and  due  of  the  last  loan, 
and  of  the  arrearages  of  subscriptions,  would  be 
sufficient,  when  received,  to  pay  all  debts  then 
existing  on  any  account,  and  to  leave  a  sum  of 
about  21,000  dollars  applicable  to  the  building  of 
the  rotunda,  which,  with  the  further  sum  of  19,370 
dollars  40J  cents  already  paid  or  provided  for, 
making  together  the  sum  of  about  40,500  dollars 
applied,  or  which  may  be  applied,  to  that  edifice, 
would  put  it  into  a  state  sufficient  for  use,  until 
other  and  more  pressing  objects  shall  have  been 
accomplished. 

They  consider  the  University,  therefore,  as  having 


43°  Jefferson's  Works 


had  in  hand  on  the  ist  day  of  this  present  year, 
1824,  the  annuity  of  this  year,  clear  of  all  prior 
claims,  as  a  fund  for  defraying  the  current  expenses 
of  the  institution  for  the  present  year,  for  meeting 
those  necessary  for  procuring  professors,  for  bringing 
them  into  place,  for  paying  any  commencements 
of  salaries  which  may  be  incurred  to  the  end  of 
the  year,  and  to  leave  a  surplus  for  contingencies 
of  about  3,000  dollars. 

They  calculate  that  in  future  years,  in  addition 
to  the  annuity  of  15,000  dollars,  they  may  count 
on  the  rents  of  six  hotels  at  150  dollars  each,  of 
100  dormitories  at  sixteen  dollars  each,  of  nine 
others  smaller  at  twelve  dollars  each,  and  an  addi- 
tional rent  from  218  students  at  twelve  dollars 
each,  for  their  participation  in  the  use  of  the  public 
apartments;  making  a  total  income  of  21,224 
dollars. 

They  are  of  opinion  that  to  obtain  professors 
of  the  first  order  of  science  in  their  respective  lines, 
they  must  resort  principally  to  Europe;  and  that 
persons  of  eminence  may  not  be  expected  to  leave 
a  known  for  an  untried  situation,  but  on  certain 
salaries  in  addition  to  liberal  tuition  fees. 

On  this  view  of  their  future  funds,  it  is  evident 
that  they  will  not  be  adequate  to  the  full  establish- 
ment of  the  ten  professorships  contemplated  by  the 
legislature  in  their  act  of  January  25,  18 19,  for 
establishing  the  University. 

It  is  their  opinion,  however,  that  they  may, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       43 1 


on  that  income,  adventure  on  the  establishment 
of  eight  professorships,  either  immediately,  or  at 
a  period  not  distant;  and  that  the  branches  of 
science  proposed  to  be  taught  in  the  University 
may  be  arranged  within  the  competence  of  that 
number  for  a  time,  and  until  future  and  favorable 
circumstances  may  enable  them  to  add  others  to 
lighten  duly  the  professorships  thus  overcharged 
with  duties. 

That  to  be  ensured  of  obtaining  characters  of 
the  due  degree  of  science,  of  talents  for  instruction, 
and  of  correct  habits  and  morals,  a  special  agent 
be  sent  to  Europe,  and  of  preference  to  the  countries 
there  using  our  own  language,  to  make  the  selection, 
under  necessary  instructions,  caution  and  advise- 
ment, and  to  counsel  and  effect  their  passage  to 
this  country  and  to  the  University. 

That  the  agent  be  instructed  to  procure  them 
for  such  compensation,  within  the  limits  herein 
prescribed,  as  he  shall  find  practicable  and  deem 
right;  that  he  offer  to  each  a  fixed  salary,  not  less 
than  1,000  nor  more  than  1,500  dollars  a  year 
with  the  privilege  of  receiving  the  tuition  fees 
required  from  the  students  by  the  regulations  of 
this  Board,  and  that  he  be  authorized,  if  he  find 
it  expedient,  to  assure  to  each,  or  any  of  them, 
that  his  salary,  together  with  his  fees,  shall  not 
be  less  annually,  for  five  years,  than  the  sum  of 
2,500  dollars;  and  that  though  the  Board  of  Visitors 
retain  the  power  of  regulating  the  tuition  fees  from 


432 


Jefferson's  Works 


time  to  time,  as  circumstances  may  require,  they 
will  not  reduce  them  below  the  rate  now  fixed  at 
any  time  within  five  years,  without  the  consent 
of  the  professor  to  be  affected  by  such  reduction, 
and  at  no  time  thereafter  without  strong  consid- 
eration connected  with  the  prosperity  of  the 
institution. 

That  a  sum  of  2.000  dollars  be  placed  in  Great 
Britian  subject  to  his  orders,  for  such  advances  as 
may  be  necessary  to  the  professors  on  account  of 
salaries;  which  salaries  may  commence  on  the  1st 
day  of  October,  or  on  whatever  later  day  they 
may  embark  for  their  destination. 

That  a  further  sum  of  6,000  dollars  be  placed 
in  like  manner  for  the  purchase  of  such  chemical, 
astronomical,  physical  and  mathematical  apparatus, 
and  for  such  text  books,  as  on  consultation  with 
the  representative  professors,  each  for  his  depart- 
ment, shall  be  deemed  indispensable  for  a  beginning, 
and  not  exceeding  in  the  whole  the  sum  so  placed 

That  the  sum  of  1,500  dollars  be  allowed  and 
advanced  to  the  agent  in  full  of  all  compensation 
for  his  expenses  and  services  on  this  mission. 

Resolved,  that  Francis  Walker  Gilmer  be  appointed 
agent  for  the  purposes  aforesaid;  that  he  proceed 
on  the  mission  with  as  little  delay  as  possible, 
and  that  he  use  his  best  diligence  to  have  the  pro- 
fessors in  place  by  the  middle  of  November  next, 
that  there  be  time  for  announcing  sufficiently,  and 
on  certain  grounds,   the   commencement  of  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  433 


institution  on  the  ist  day  of  February  following. 
That,  if  the  moneys  destined  for  these  advances 
be  not  in  hand,  to  save  time  and  disappointment, 
they  be  borrowed  by  the  executive  committee  on 
the  credit  of  the  University,  from  any  bank,  body, 
or  individual,  whatever,  to  be  replaced  by  the  said 
moneys  when  received. 

And  inasmuch  as  it  is  necessary  for  the  infor- 
mation of  the  agents,  now  to  specify  the  sciences 
to  be  taught,  and  their  distribution  among  the 
professorships,  and  it  may  be  satisfactory  to  the 
professors  also  to  know  what  their  general  situation 
in  the  University  will  be,  what  and  on  whom  their 
dependence  will  be,  and  the  duties  expected  from 
them,  the  Board  proceeds  to  the  following  enact- 
ments; adjourning,  however,  for  the  present  until 
to-morrow. 


Tuesday,  April  6th  a  constant  and  heavy  rain 
prevented  the  meeting  of  the  Board. 


Wednesday,  April  7,  1824. 
Joseph  C.  Cabell  attended  with  the  members 
present  on  Monday.  In  the  University  of  Virginia 
shall  be  instituted  eight  professorships,  to  wit:  ist,  of 
ancient  languages ;  2d,  modern  languages;  3d,  mathe- 
matics; 4th,  natural  philosophy;  5th,  natural  history; 
6th,  anatomy  and  medicine;  7th,  moral  philosophy; 
8th,  law. 

VOL.  XIX  28 


434 


Jefferson's  Works 


In  the  school  of  ancient  languages  shall  be 
taught  the  higher  grade  of  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages,  the  Hebrew,  rhetoric,  belles-lettres, 
ancient  history  and  ancient  geography. 

In  the  school  of  modern  languages  shall  be  taught 
French,  Spanish,  Italian,  German  and  the  English 
language  in  its  Anglo-Saxon  form;  also  modern 
history  and  modern  geography. 

In  the  school  of  mathematics  shall  be  taught 
mathematics  generally  including  the  high  branches 
of  numerical  arithmetic,  algebra,  trigonometry,  plane 
and  spherical  geometry,  mensuration,  navigation, 
conic  sections,  fluxions  or  differentials,  military  and 
civil  architecture. 

In  the  school  of  natural  philosophy  shall  be  taught 
the  laws  and  properties  of  bodies  generally,  including 
mechanics,  statics,  hydrostatics,  hydraulics,  pneu- 
matics, acoustics,  optics  and  astronomy. 

In  the  school  of  natural  history  shall  be  taught 
botany,  zoology,  mineralogy,  chemistry,  geology  and 
rural  economy. 

In  the  school  of  anatomy  and  medicine  shall  be 
taught  anatomy,  surgery,  the  history  of  the  progress 
and  theories  of  medicine,  physiology,  pathology, 
materia  medica  and  pharmacy. 

In  the  school  of  moral  philosophy  shall  be  taught 
mental  science  generally,  including  ideology,  general 
grammar,  logic  and  ethics. 

In  the  school  of  law  shall  be  taught  the  common 
and  statute  law,  that  of  the  chancery,  the  laws 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  435 


feudal,  civil,  mercatorial,  maritime  and  of  nature 
and  nations ;  and  also  the  principles  of  government 
and  political  economy. 

This  arrangement,  however,  shall  not  be  under- 
stood as  forbidding  occasional  transpositions  of  a 
particular  branch  of  science  from  one  school  to 
another  in  accommodation  of  the  particular  quali- 
fications of  different  professors. 

In  each  of  these  schools  instruction  shall  be 
communicated  by  lessons  or  lectures,  examinations 
and  exercises,  as  shall  be  best  adapted  to  the  nature 
of  the  science,  and  number  of  the  school;  and 
exercises  shall  be  prescribed  to  employ  the  vacant 
days  and  hours. 

The  professors  shall  be  permitted  to  occupy,  rent 
free,  a  pavilion  each,  with  the  grounds  appropriated 
to  it.  They  shall  also  receive  from  the  funds  of 
the  University  such  compensation  as  shall  have 
been  stipulated  by  the  agent  or  fixed  by  the  Board; 
and  from  each  student  attending  them  tuition  fees 
as  hereinafter  declared. 

The  professors  shall  permit  no  waste  to  be  com- 
mitted in  their  tenements,  and  shall  maintain  the 
internal  of  their  pavilions,  and  also  the  windows, 
doors  and  locks  external  during  their  occupation, 
in  as  good  repair  and  condition  as  they  shall  have 
received  them. 

The  collegiate  duties  of  a  professor,  if  discharged 
conscientiously,  with  industry  and  zeal,  being  suf- 
ficient to  engross  all  his  hours  of  business,  he  shall 


436  Jefferson's  Works 


engage  in  no  other  pursuits  of  emolument  uncon- 
nected with  the  service  of  the  University  without 
the  consent  of  the  Visitors. 

Every  student  shall  pay  to  the  professor  whom 
he  attends,  if  he  attends  but  one,  fifty  dollars  the 
session  of  ten  months  and  a  half;  if  two,  thirty 
dollars  each,  if  three  or  more,  twenty-five  dollars 
each — and  these  payments  shall  be  made  in  advance, 
and  before  his  admission  into  the  school.  And 
they  shall  maintain  their  dormitories  in  the  con- 
dition in  which  they  shall  receive  them  in  like 
manner  as  is  required  of  the  professors.  The  proc- 
tor shall  in  duty  attend  in  both  cases  to  the  obser- 
vance of  this  requisition. 

Although,  as  before  expressed,  the  Board  is  in 
the  expectation  that  they  may  be  able,  either 
immediately  or  at  no  distant  period,  to  establish 
eight  professorships;  yet  some  uncertainties  in  the 
state  of  their  funds,  and  other  considerations  render 
it  prudent,  for  the  present,  to  establish  seven  only; 
and  the  school  of  anatomy  being  that  which  it 
will  be  most  expedient  to  postpone,  they  instruct 
their  agent  accordingly  to  make  no  engagement 
for  an  anatomical  professor,  or  a  provisional  one 
only,  subject  to  the  future  determination  of  the 
Board.  They  deem  it  also  expedient  that  pro- 
fessors of  law  and  moral  philosophy  shall  be  taken 
from  among  the  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

Considering  as  satisfactory  the  qualifications  and 
character  of  George  Blaettermann,  of  the  city  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  437 


London,  recommended  to  them  as  professor  of 
modern  languages,  the  agent  is  authorized  to 
engage  him  for  that  professorship,  unless  circum- 
stances unknown  to  this  Board  should,  in  his  judg- 
ment, furnish  cause  to  decline  that  engagement, 
and  to  proceed  to  procure  one  who  may  merit 
more  unexceptionably  the  approbation  of  the  Board. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  the  appointment 
of  a  professor,  and  Francis  Walker  Gilmer  was 
appointed  to  the  professor  of  law,  or  of  moral 
philosophy,  at  his  election,  to  be  signified  to  the 
rector. 

The  executive  committee  are  authorized  to  appoint 
a  collector  of  the  arrears  of  subscriptions,  and  are 
required  to  take  measures  as  may  be  necessary  to 
effect  a  speedy  collection. 

An  act  of  the  last  assembly  having  appropriated 
to  the  University,  for  the  purchase  of  a  library 
and  apparatus,  the  sum  of  50,000  dollars  out  of 
the  first  moneys  that  may  be  received  from  the 
government  of  the  United  States  on  account  of 
the  claim  of  this  Commonwealth  for  advances  and 
expenditures  during  the  late  war,  having  also 
authorized  a  contingent  loan  to  that  amount,  by 
board  of  public  works,  on  the  credit  of  the  appro- 
priation so  made,  and  it  being  proper  to  provide 
for  the  receipt  and  disposal  of  this  money,  and 
for  the  negotiations  of  the  authorized  loan  to  such 
extent  as  may  be  advisable,  the  Board  doth  there- 
fore, resolve: 


438  Jefferson's  Works 


First,  that  as  soon  as  the  money  so  appropriated, 
or  any  part  thereof,  shall  be  payable,  it  be  paid 
to  the  bursar  of  the  University,  or  to  his  order; 
that  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  required  by  the 
executive  committee,  not  exceeding  20,000  dollars, 
be  placed  by  him  in  Europe  under  the  control  of 
the  agent  hereby  deputed  to  that  country,  to  be 
employed  in  the  purchase  of  such  books  and  appa- 
ratus as  may  be  deemed  most  useful  for  the  com- 
mencement of  the  several  schools  in  the  University; 
and  the  balance  of  the  money  which  may  be  received 
by  the  bursar  be  deposited  in  bank,  subject  to  the 
future  orders  of  the  Board. 

Secondly,  that  the  executive  committee  be  author- 
ized, if  they  deem  it  expedient,  in  anticipation  of 
the  money  to  be  received  from  the  General  Govern- 
ment, to  negotiate  a  loan  with  the  board  of  public 
works  for  any  sum  not  exceeding  that  hereby 
directed  to  be  placed  under  the  control  of  the  agent 
in  Europe ;  and  to  pledge  the  money  so  to  be  received 
from  the  General  Government  for  the  payment  of 
the  interest  and  refunding  the  principal  of  the  loan; 
and  any  money  so  borrowed  by  the  executive  com- 
mittee sha  1  be  placed  under  the  control  of  the 
agent  in  Europe,  in  lieu  of  that  mentioned  in  the 
first  resolution,  and  for  the  purpose  therein  specified. 

And  the  Board  adjourned  without  day. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  439 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University, 
at  the  University,  on  Monday  the  4th  of  October, 
1824,  at  which  were  present,  Thomas  Jefferson, 
James  Madison,  James  Breckenridge,  John  H.  Cocke, 
George  Loyall  and  Joseph  C.  Cabell. 

Resolved,  that  the  Board  ratify  two  purchases 
of  land  in  front  of  the  rotunda,  purchased  of  Daniel 
A.  Piper  and  Mary  A.  F.,  his  wife. 

Resolved,  that  permission  be  given  to  Francis  W. 
Gilmer,  now  on  his  mission  to  Great  Britain  for 
the  purpose  of  engaging  professors  for  the  Univer- 
sity, to  use  for  his  expenses  six  or  seven  hundred 
dollars  of  the  6,000  dollars  put  into  his  hands  for 
the  purchase  of  books  and  apparatus. 

Resolved,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Board 
that  if  the  arrearages  of  subscriptions  should  not 
be  sufficient  to  pay  for  the  articles  of  marble  con- 
tracted for  in  Italy,  it  will  be  proper  to  supply  the 
deficiency  from  the  annuity  of  the  year  1825. 

Resolved,  that  the  bursar  be  authorized  to  enter 
into  negotiations  with  any  one  of  the  banks  for 
the  purpose  of  procuring  an  advance  of  the  separate 
part  of  the  arrears  of  subscriptions,  with  an  under- 
standing that  the  University  shall  not  be  called  on 
for  the  reimbursement  of  the  moneys  till  such  time 
as  they  shall  be  paid  by  the  subscribers,  or  within 
such  other  times  as  shall  be  reasonable. 

Resolved,  that  the  rent  for  the  hotels  be  fixed 
at  200  dollars  per  annum. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  consider  of  the 


44°  Jefferson's  Works 


regulations  necessary  for  constituting,  governing 
and  conducting  the  institution  in  addition  to  those 
passed  at  their  last  session,  agreed  to  the  following 
supplementary  enactments: 

Each  of  the  schools  of  the  University  shall  be 
held  two  hours  of  every  other  day  of  the  week; 
and  that  every  student  may  be  enabled  to  attend 
those  of  his  choice,  let  their  sessions  be  so  arranged, 
as  to  days  and  hours,  that  no  two  of  them  shall 
be  holden  at  the  same  time.  Therefore, 

The  school  of  ancient  languages  shall  occupy 
from  7.30  to  9.30  a.  m.,  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays 
and  Fridays. 

That  of  modern  languages  shall  occupy  the  same 
hours  on  Tuesdays,  Thursdays  and  Saturdays. 

That  of  mathematics  shall  occupy  from  9.30  to 
11.30  a.  m.  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays  and  Fridays. 

That  of  natural  philosophy  the  same  hours  on 
Tuesdays,  Thursdays  and  Saturdays. 

That  of  natural  history  shall  occupy  from  11.30 
a.  m.  to  1.30  p.  m.  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays  and 
Fridays. 

That  of  anatomy  and  medicine  the  same  hours 
on  Tuesdays,  Thursdays  and  Saturdays. 

That  of  moral  philosophy  shall  occupy  from  1.30 
to  3.30  p.  m.  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays  and  Fridays. 

That  of  law  the  same  hours  on  Tuesdays,  Thurs- 
days and  Saturdays. 

The  Visitors  of  the  University  shall  be  free, 
severally  or  together,  to  attend  occasionally  any 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  441 


school,  during  its  session,  as  inspectors  and  judges 
of  the  mode  in  which  it  is  conducted. 

Wherein  the  instruction  is  by  lessons,  and  the 
class  too  numerous  for  a  single  instructor,  assistant 
tutors  may  be  employed,  to  be  chosen  by  the 
professor,  to  have  the  use  of  two  adjacent  dormi- 
tories each,  rent  free,  and  to  divide  with  the  pro- 
fessor the  tuition  fees,  as  shall  be  agreed  between  them. 

The  professors,  tutors  and  all  officers  of  the 
University  shall  reside  constantly  in  the  apart- 
ments of  the  University,  or  of  its  precincts,  assigned 
to  them. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  faculty  of  professors,  on 
matters  within  their  functions,  one  of  them  shall 
preside,  by  rotation,  for  the  term  of  one  year  each. 
A  majority  of  the  members  shall  make  a  quorum 
for  business.  They  may  appoint  a  secretary  of 
their  own  body,  or  otherwise,  who  shall  keep  a 
journal  of  their  proceedings,  and  lay  the  same 
before  the  Board  of  Visitors  at  their  first  ensuing 
meeting,  and  whenever  else  required.  The  com- 
pensation for  such  secretary  shall  be  fifty  dollars 
yearly,  payable  from  the  funds  of  the  University. 

Meetings  of  the  faculty  may  be  called  by  the 
presiding  member  of  the  year,  or  by  any  three  of 
the  professors,  to  be  held  in  an  apartment  of  the 
rotunda,  and  the  object  of  the  call  shall  be  expressed 
in  the  written  notification  to  be  served  by  the 
janitor.  But  when  assembled,  other  business  also 
may  be  transacted. 


442  Jefferson's  Works 


The  faculty  may  appoint  a  janitor,  who  shall 
attend  its  meetings,  and  the  meetings  of  the  Visitors, 
and  shall  perform  necessary  menial  offices  for  them, 
for  which  he  shall  receive  150  dollars  yearly  from 
the  funds  of  the  University,  and  be  furnished  wtih 
a  lodging  room. 

No  student  is  to  be  received  under  sixteen  years 
of  age,  rigorously  proved.  None  to  be  admitted 
into  the  mathematical  school,  or  chat  of  natural 
philosophy,  who  is  not  an  adept  in  all  the  branches 
of  numerical  arithmetic;  and  none  into  the  school 
of  ancient  languages,  unless  qualified,  in  the 
judgment  of  the  professor,  to  commence  reading 
the  higher  Latin  classics;  nor  to  receive  instruction 
in  Greek,  unless  qualified  in  the  same  degree  in 
that  language. 

No  one  shall  enter  as  a  student  of  the  University, 
either  at  the  beginning  or  during  the  progress  of 
the  session,  but  as  for  the  whole  session,  ending 
on  the  15th  day  of  December,  and  paying  as  for 
the  whole. 

The  dormitories  shall  be  occupied  by  two  students 
each,  and  no  more,  at  fifteen  dollars  yearly  rent, 
to  be  paid  to  the  proctor  at  or  before  the  end  of 
the  session,  one-half  by  each  occupant,  or  the  whole 
by  one,  if  there  be  only  one.  And  every  student, 
within  the  same  term,  shall  pay  to  the  proctor, 
also,  for  the  University,  fifteen  dollars  annually 
for  his  participation  in  the  use  of  the  public  apart- 
ments during  the  session. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  443 

The  students  shall  be  free  to  diet  themselves  in 
any  of  the  hotels  of  the  University,  at  their  choice, 
or  elsewhere,  other  than  in  taverns,  as  shall  suit 
themselves,  but  not  more  than  fifty  shall  be  allowed 
to  diet  at  the  same  hotel. 

No  keeper  of  any  of  the  hotels  of  the  University 
shall  require  or  receive  more  than  100  dollars  for 
dieting  any  student  and  for  performing  the  necessary 
offices  of  his  dormitory,  during  the  session  of  ten 
months  and  a  half,  nor  shall  suffer  ardent  spirits 
or  wine,  mixed  or  unmixed,  to  be  drank  within 
his  tenement,  on  pain  of  an  immediate  determi- 
nation of  his  lease,  and  removal  by  the  Faculty; 
nor  shall  any  person  boarding  elsewhere  than 
with  their  parents,  in  any  house,  and  using  wine 
or  ardent  spirits,  mixed  or  unmixed,  within  such 
house,  or  its  tenement,  or  paying  more  than  120 
dollars  for  diet,  lodging,  and  other  offices  and 
accommodations  of  the  house  and  tenement,  during 
a  like  term,  be  admitted  to  any  school  of  the  Uni- 
versity. 

Every  student  shall  be  free  to  attend  the  schools 
of  his  choice,  and  no  other  than  he  chooses. 

There  will  be  one  vacation  only  in  the  year, 
and  that  shall  be  from  the  15th  day  of  December 
to  the  last  day  of  January. 

Examination  of  the  candidates  for  honorary  dis- 
tinctions shall  be  held  in  the  presence  of  all  the 
professors  and  students,  in  the  week  preceding  the 
commencement  of  the  vacation.    At  these  examina- 


444  Jefferson's  Works 


tions  shall  be  given,  to  the  highly  meritorious  only, 
and  by  the  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  professors, 
diplomas,  or  premiums  of  medals  or  books,  to  be 
provided  by  the  University,  to  wit:  Diplomas  to 
those  of  the  highest  qualifications,  medals  of  more 
or  less  value  to  those  of  the  second  grade  of  acquisi- 
tion, and  books  of  more  or  less  value  to  those  of 
a  third.  These  diplomas  shall  be  of  two  degrees; 
the  highest  of  doctor,  the  second  of  graduate. 
And  the  diploma  of  each  shall  express  the  partic- 
ular school  or  schools  in  which  the  candidate  shall 
have  been  declared  eminent,  and  shall  be  subscribed 
by  the  particular  professors  approving  it.  But  no 
diploma  shall  be  given  to  any  one  who  has  not 
passed  such  an  examination  in  the  Latin  language 
as  shall  have  proved  him  able  to  read  the  highest 
classics  in  that  language  with  ease,  thorough  under- 
standing and  just  quantity;  and  if  he  be  also  a 
proficient  in  the  Greek,  let  that,  too,  be  stated  in 
his  diploma.  The  intention  being  that  the  repu- 
tation of  the  University  shall  not  be  committed 
but  to  those  who,  to  an  eminence  in  some  one  or 
more  of  the  sciences  taught  in  it,  add  a  proficiency 
in  these  languages  which  constitute  the  basis  of 
good  education,  and  are  indispensable  to  fill  up  the 
character  of  a  "well-educated  man." 

Punishment  for  major  offences  shall  be  expulsion, 
temporary  suspension,  or  interdiction  of  residence 
or  appearance  within  the  precincts  of  the  Univer- 
sity.    The  minor  punishment  shall  be  restraint 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  445 

within  those  precincts,  within  their  own  chamber, 
or  in  diet,  reproof  by  a  professor,  privately  or  in 
presence  of  the  school  of  the  offender,  or  of  all 
the  schools,  a  seat  of  degradation  in  his  school-room 
of  longer  or  shorter  duration,  removal  to  a  lower 
class,  dismission  from  the  school-room  for  the  day, 
imposition  of  a  task;  and  insubordination  to  these 
sentences  shall  be  deemed  and  punished  as  con- 
tumacy. 

Contumacy  shall  be  liable  to  any  of  the  minor 
punishments. 

The  precincts  of  the  University  are  to  be  under- 
stood as  co-extensive  with  the  lot  or  parcel  of  its 
own  grounds  on  which  it  is  situated. 

The  major  punishments  of  expulsion  from  the 
University,  temporary  suspension  of  attendance  and 
presence  there,  or  interdiction  of  residence  or  appear- 
ance within  its  precincts,  shall  be  decreed  by  the 
professors  themselves.  Minor  cases  may  be  referred 
to  a  board  of  six  censors,  to  be  named  by  the  faculty, 
from  the  most  discreet  of  the  students,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be,  sitting  as  a  board,  to  inquire  into  the 
facts,  propose  the  minor  punishment  which  they 
think  proportioned  to  the  offence,  and  to  make 
report  thereof  to  the  professors  for  their  appro- 
bation, or  their  commutation  of  the  penalty,  if  it 
be  beyond  the  grade  of  the  offence.  The  censors 
shall  hold  their  offices  until  the  end  of  the  session 
of  their  appointment,  if  not  sooner  revoked  by  the 
faculty. 


446  Jefferson's  Works 


Inattendance  on  school,  inattention  to  the  exer- 
cises prescribed,  and  misbehavior  or  indecorum  in 
school  shall  be  subject  to  any  of  the  minor  punish- 
ments; and  the  professor  of  the  school  may  singly 
reprove,  impose  a  task,  or  dismiss  from  the  room 
for  the  day. 

Habits  of  expense,  of  dissoluteness,  dissipation, 
or  of  playing  at  games  of  chance,  being  obstructive 
to  the  acquisition  of  science  by  the  student  himself 
and  injurious  by  example  to  others,  shall  be  subject 
in  the  first  instance  to  admonition  and  reproof  to 
the  offender,  and  to  communication  and  warning  to 
the  parent  or  guardian,  and,  if  not  satisfactorily 
corrected,  to  a  refusal  of  further  continuance  at  the 
University. 

No  student  shall  make  any  festive  entertainment 
within  the  precincts  of  the  University,  nor  contri- 
bute or  be  present  at  them,  there  or  elsewhere,  but 
with  the  consent  of  each  of  the  professors  whose 
school  he  attends,  on  pain  of  a  minor  punishment. 

No  student  shall  admit  any  disturbing  noises  in 
his  room,  or  make  them  anywhere  within  the  pre- 
cincts of  the  University,  or  fire  a  gun  or  pistol 
within  the  same,  on  pain  of  such  minor  sentence 
as  the  faculty  shall  decree  or  approve.  But  the 
proper  use  of  musical  instruments  shall  be  freely 
allowed  in  their  rooms,  and  in  that  appropriated 
for  instruction  in  music. 

Riotous,  disorderly,  intemperate  or  indecent  con- 
duct of  any  student  within  the  precincts  shall  be 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  447 

punished  by  interdiction  of  a  residence  within  the 
precincts;  and  repetitions  of  such  offences,  by  expul- 
sion from  the  University. 

Fighting  with  weapons  which  may  inflict  death, 
or  a  challenge  to  such  fight,  given  or  accepted, 
shall  be  punished  by  instant  expulsion  from  the 
University,  not  remissible  by  the  Faculty;  and  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  proctor  to  give  information 
thereof  to  the  civil  magistrate,  that  the  parties 
may  be  dealt  with  according  to  law. 

Offences  cognisable  by  the  laws  of  the  land  shall 
be  left  to  the  cognisance  of  the  civil  magistrate, 
if  claimed  by  him,  or  otherwise  to  the  judgment 
of  the  faculty;  all  others  to  that  of  the  faculty. 
And  such  of  these  as  are  not  specially  designated 
in  enactments  of  the  Visitors  may  be  subjected  by 
the  faculty  to  any  of  the  minor  punishments  per- 
mitted by  these  enactments. 

Sentences  of  expulsion  from  the  University  (except 
in  the  case  of  challenge  or  combat  with  arms)  shall 
not  be  final  until  approved  by  the  Board  of  Visitors 
or,  when  they  are  not  in  session,  by  a  majority  of 
them,  separately  consulted.  But  residence  within 
the  precincts,  and  attendance  on  the  schools  may 
be  suspended  in  the  meantime. 

No  student  shall,  within  the  precincts  of  the 
University,  introduce,  keep  or  use  any  spirituous 
or  vinous  liquors,  keep  or  use  weapons  or  arms  of 
any  kind,  or  gunpowder,  keep  a  servant,  horse  or 
dog,  appear  in  school  with  a  stick,  or  any  weapon, 


448  Jefferson's  Works 


nor  while  in  school,  be  covered  without  permission 
of  the  professor,  nor  use  tobacco  by  smoking  or 
chewing,  on  pain  of  any  of  the  minor  punishments 
at  the  discretion  of  the  faculty,  or  of  the  board  of 
censors,  approved  by  the  faculty. 

All  damages  done  to  instruments,  books,  build- 
ings or  other  property  of  the  University  by  any 
student,  shall  be  made  good  at  his  expense;  and 
wilful  injury  to  any  tree,  shrub  or  other  plant 
within  the  precincts,  shall  be  punished  by  fine,  not 
exceeding  ten  dollars,  at  the  discretion  of  the 
faculty. 

When  a  professor  knocks  at  the  door  of  a  student's 
room,  any  person  being  within,  and  announces 
himself,  it  shall  be  opened,  on  pain  of  minor  pun- 
ishment; and  the  professor  may,  if  refused,  have 
the  door  broken  open;  and  the  expenses  of  repair 
shall  be  levied  on  the  student  or  students  within. 

At  the  hour  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  every 
school,  the  roll  of  the  school  shall  be  called  over, 
the  absentees  and  those  appearing  tardily,  shall  be 
noted,  and  if  no  sufficient  cause  be  offered,  at  the 
rising  of  the  school,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  pro- 
fessor, the  notation  shall  stand  confirmed,  and 
shall  be  given  in  to  the  faculty,  the  presiding 
member  of  which  for  the  time  being  shall,  on  the 
15th  days  of  May,  August  and  December,  or  as 
soon  after  each  of  these  days  as  may  be,  transmit 
by  mail  a  list  of  these  notations  to  the  parent  or 
guardian  of  each  delinquent. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  449 


When  testimony  is  required  from  a  student,  it 
shall  be  voluntary,  and  not  on  oath.  And  the 
obligation  to  give  it  shall — (if  unwilling  to  give  it, 
let  the  moral  obligation  be  explained  and  urged, 
under  which  every  one  is  bound  to  bear  witness, 
where  wrong  has  been  done,  but  finally  let  it) — be 
left  to  his  own  sense  of  right.1 

Should  the  religious  sects  of  this  State,  or  any 
of  them,  according  to  the  invitation  held  out  to 
them,  establish  within,  or  adjacent  to,  the  precincts 
of  the  University,  schools  for  instruction  in  the 
religion  of  their  sect,  the  students  of  the  University 
will  be  free,  and  expected  to  attend  religious  worship 
at  the  establishment  of  their  respective  sects,  in 
the  morning,  and  in  time  to  meet  their  school  in 
the  University  at  its  stated  hour. 

The  students  of  such  religious  school,  if  they 
attend  any  school  of  the  University,  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  students  of  the  University,  subject  to 
the  same  regulations,  and  entitled  to  the  same 
rights  and  privileges. 

The  room  provided  for  a  school-room  in  every 
pavilion  shall  be  used  for  the  school  of  its  occupant 
professor,  and  shall  be  furnished  by  the  University 
with  necessary  benches  and  tables. 

The  upper  circular  room  of  the  rotunda  shall  be 
reserved  for  a  library. 

One  of  its  larger  elliptical  rooms  on  its  middle 
floor  shall  be  used  for  annual  examinations,  for 

'This  altera  was  made  by  the  Board  March  5,  1825. 
VOL.  xix — 29 


45° 


Jefferson's  Works 


lectures  to  such  schools  as  are  too  numerous  for 
their  ordinary  school-room,  and  for  religious  worship, 
under  the  regulations  allowed  to  be  prescribed  by 
law.  The  other  rooms  on  the  same  floor  may  be 
used  by  schools  of  instruction  in  drawing,  music, 
or  any  other  of  the  innocent  and  ornamental  accom- 
plishments of  life;  but  under  such  instructors  only 
as  shall  be  approved  and  licensed  by  the  faculty. 

The  rooms  in  the  basement  story  of  the  rotunda 
shall  be,  one  of  them  for  a  chemical  laboratory, 
and  the  others  for  any  necessary  purpose  to  which 
they  may  be  adapted. 

The  two  open  apartments,  adjacent  to  the  same 
story  of  the  rotunda,  shall  be  appropriated  to  the 
gymnastic  exercises  and  games  of  the  students, 
among  which  shall  be  reckoned  military  exercises. 

A  military  instructor  shall  be  provided  at  the 
expense  of  the  University,  to  be  appointed  by  the 
faculty,  who  shall  attend  on  every  Saturday  from 
half  after  one  o'clock  to  half  after  three  p.  m.,  and 
shall  instruct  the  students  in  the  manual  exercise, 
in  field  evolutions,  manoeuvres  and  encampments. 
The  students  shall  attend  these  exercises,  and 
shall  be  obedient  to  the  military  orders  of  their 
instructor.  The  roll  shall  be  regularly  called  over 
by  him  at  the  hour  of  meeting,  absences  and  insub- 
ordinations shall  be  noted,  and  the  list  of  the 
deliquents  shall  be  delivered  to  the  presiding  mem- 
ber of  the  faculty  for  the  time  being  to  be  animad- 
verted on  by  the  faculty,  and  such  minor  punish- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        45 1 


ment  imposed  as  each  case  shall,  in  their  discretion, 
require.  The  school  of  modern  languages  shall  be 
pretermitted  on  the  days  of  actual  military  exercise. 

Substitutes  in  the  form  of  arms  shall  be  provided 
by  the  proctor,  at  the  expense  of  the  University; 
they  shall  be  distinguished  by  numbers,  delivered 
out,  received  in  and  deposited  under  the  care  and 
responsibility  of  the  instructor,  in  a  proper  deposi- 
tory to  be  furnished  him;  and  all  injuries  to  them 
by  a  student  shall  be  repaired  at  the  expense  of 
such  student. 

Work-shops  shall  be  provided,  whenever  con- 
venient, at  the  expense  of  the  University,  wherein 
the  students  who  choose,  may  exercise  themselves 
in  the  use  of  tools,  and  such  mechanical  practices 
as  it  is  convenient  and  useful  for  every  person  to 
understand,  and  occasionally  to  practice.  These 
shops  may  be  let,  rent  free,  to  such  skillful  and 
orderly  mechanics  as  shall  be  approved  by  the 
faculty,  on  the  condition  that  they  will  permit 
the  use  of  their  tools,  instruments  and  implements, 
within  the  shop,  to  such  students  as  shall  desire 
and  use  the  permission  discreetly,  and  under  a 
liability  for  any  injury  they  may  do  them;  and 
on  the  further  condition,  if  necessary,  of  such 
mechanics  receiving  instruction  gratis  in  the  mechan- 
ical and  philosophical  principles  of  his  art,  so  far 
as  taught  in  any  of  the  schools. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  consider  the  draught 
of  a  report  to  be  made,  as  required  by  law,  to  the 


452 


Jefferson's  Works 


president  and  directors  of  the  Literary  Fund,  and 
before  concluding  it  finally,  they  adjourned  to 
to-morrow  morning. 


Tuesday,  October  5th,  1824. 

The  Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Pre- 
sent, Thomas  Jefferson,  James  Breckenridge,  John 
H.  Cocke  and  Joseph  C.  Cabell. 

On  motion,  resolved,  that  the  proctor  be  author- 
ized and  required,  after  the  15th  day  of  November 
next,  to  lease  the  hotels  of  the  University  to  such 
persons  offering,  of  worthy  and  proper  character, 
as  he  shall  approve;  that  the  lease  shall  not  be  of 
a  longer  term  than  one  year;  and  that  he  cause 
to  be  inserted  therein  such  covenants  as  he  shall 
deem  necessary  as  to  the  preservation  of  the  houses, 
inclosures  and  appurtenances  of  the  tenements, 
and  observance  of  the  preceding  regulations;  and 
that  this  be  published  without  delay,  that  all 
persons  may  have  notice  who  may  desire  to  apply. 

And  the  Board,  having  concluded,  and  agreed  to 
the  report  to  be  made  to  the  president  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund,  adjourned  without  day. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

October  5th,  1824. 

Which  report  is  in  the  words  following: 
To  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund: 

In  obedience  to  the  law  requiring  that  the  rector. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  453 


and  Visitors  of  the  University  of  Virginia  should 
make  report  annually  to  the  president  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund  (to  be  laid  before  the  legislature 
at  their  next  succeeding  session),  embracing  a  full 
account  of  the  disbursements,  the  funds  on  hand, 
and  a  general  statement  of  the  condition  of  the 
said  University,  the  said  rector  and  Visitors  make 
the  following  report: 

In  that  of  the  preceding  year  it  was  stated  that 
the  buildings  for  the  accommodation  of  the  pro- 
fessors and  students  were  in  readiness  for  their 
occupation,  and  that  the  walls  of  the  larger  build- 
ing, intended  for  a  library  and  other  purposes, 
were  completed.  In  the  course  of  the  present 
season  this  building  has  received  its  roof,  and  will 
be  put  into  a  condition  for  preservation  and  use, 
although  its  interior  cannot  be  completed.  It  was 
then  also  stated  that,  without  awaiting  that  com- 
pletion, the  institution  might  be  put  into  operation 
at  the  close  of  this  present  year  were  its  funds 
liberated  from  the  encumbrances  with  which  they 
were  charged.  This  obstacle  was  removed  by  the 
act  of  the  legislature  of  January  27  of  the  present 
year  concerning  the  University  of  Virginia. 

In  consequence  of  this  liberation,  the  Board  of 
Visitors  at  their  ensuing  meeting,  on  the  5th  of 
April  last,  proceeded  to  take  such  preparatory 
measures  as  could  be  taken  at  that  time  to  carry 
the  views  of  the  legislature  into  effect  with  as 
little  delay  as  practicable.    From  the  accounts  and 


454  Jefferson's  Works 


estimates  then  rendered  by  the  bursar  and  proctor, 
it  appeared  that  on  the  last  day  of  the  preceding 
year,  1823,  the  funds  in  hand  and  due  to  the  Uni- 
versity, of  the  last  loan,  and  of  the  arrearages  of 
subscriptions,  would  be  sufficient,  when  received, 
to  pay  all  debts  then  existing  on  any  account,  and 
to  leave  a  sum  of  about  21,000  dollars  applicable 
to  the  building  of  the  library,  which,  with  the  sum 
of  19,370.40^  dollars  already  paid  or  provided 
for  that  edifice,  would  put  it  into  a  state  of  safety 
and  of  some  uses,  until  other  and  more  pressing 
objects  should  have  been  accomplished.  They  con- 
sider the  University,  therefore,  as  having  had  in 
hand,  on  the  first  day  of  the  present  year,  1824, 
the  annuity  of  this  year  (clear  of  all  prior  claims), 
as  a  fund  for  defraying  the  current  expenses 
of  the  year,  for  meeting  those  necessary  toward 
securing  professors,  paying  any  commencement 
of  salaries  which  might  be  incurred  to  the  end 
of  the  year,  and  to  leave  a  small  surplus  for  con- 
tingencies. 

They  found,  from  a  view  of  the  future  income, 
consisting  of  the  annuity,  and  such  rents  for  build- 
ings as  may  be  reasonably  required  that  it  would 
not  be  adequate  to  the  full  establishment  of  the 
ten  professorships  contemplated  by  the  legislature 
in  their  act  of  January  25,  1819,  for  establishing 
the  University;  but  that  it  might  suffice  for  insti- 
tuting eight  professorships  for  the  present,  and 
that  the  branches  of  science  proposed  to  be  taught 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  455 


in  the  University  might  be  arranged  within  the 
competence  of  that  number  for  a  time,  and  until 
future  and  favorable  circumstances  might  enable 
them  to  add  the  others,  and  to  lighten  duly  the 
professorships  thus  overcharged  with  duties. 

They  proceeded,  therefore,  to  settle  the  organ- 
ization of  the  schools,  and  the  distribution  of  the 
sciences  among  them,  and  they  concluded  on  the 
same,  as  follows: 

In  the  University  of  Virginia  shall  be  instituted 
eight  professorships,  to  wit:  First,  of  ancient  lan- 
guages; second,  modern  languages;  third,  mathe- 
matics; fourth,  natural  philosophy;  fifth,  natural 
history;  sixth,  anatomy  and  medicine;  seventh, 
moral  philosophy;  eighth,  law. 

In  the  school  of  ancient  languages  are  to  be 
taught  the  higher  grade  of  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages,  the  Hebrew,  rhetoric,  belles-lettres, 
ancient  history  and  ancient  geography. 

In  the  school  of  modern  languages  are  to  be 
taught  French,  Spanish,  Italian,  German  and  the 
English  language  in  its  Anglo-Saxon  form;  also 
modern  history  and  modern  geography. 

In  the  school  of  mathematics  are  to  be  taught 
mathematics  generally,  including  the  higher  branches 
of  numerical  arithmetic,  algebra,  trigonometry  plane 
arid  spherical,  geometry,  mensuration,  navigation, 
conic  sections,  fluxions  or  differentials,  military 
and  civil  architecture. 

In  the  school  of  natural  philosophy  are  to  be 


456  Jefferson's  Works 


taught  the  laws  and  properties  of  bodies  generally, 
including  mechanics,  statics,  hydro-statics,  hydrau- 
lics, pneumatics,  acoustics,  optics  and  astronomy. 

In  the  school  of  natural  history  are  to  be  taught 
botany,  zoology,  mineralogy,  chemistry,  geology 
and  rural  economy. 

In  the  school  of  anatomy  and  medicine  are  to 
be  taught  anatomy,  surgery,  the  history  of  the 
progress  and  theories  of  medicine,  physiology,  path- 
ology, materia  medica  and  pharmacy. 

In  the  school  of  moral  philosophy  are  to  be 
taught  mental  science  generally,  including  ideology, 
general  grammar  and  ethics. 

In  the  school  of  law  are  to  be  taught  the  common 
and  statute  law,  that  of  the  chancery,  the  laws 
feudal,  civil,  mercatorial,  maritime  and  of  nature 
and  nations;  and  also  the  principles  of  government 
and  political  economy. 

But  it  was  meant  that  this  distribution  should 
give  way  to  occasional  interchanges  of  particular 
branches  of  science,  among  the  professors,  in  accom- 
modation of  their  respective  qualifications. 

The  Visitors  were  sensible  that  there  might  be 
found  in  the  different  seminaries  of  the  United 
States  persons  qualified  to  conduct  these  several 
schools  with  entire  confidence;  but  it  was  neither 
probable  that  they  would  leave  the  situations  in 
which  they  then  were,  nor  honorable  or  moral  to 
endeavor  to  seduce  them  from  their  stations ;  and  to 
have  filled  the  professional  chairs  with  unemployed 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  45-7 


and  secondary  characters,  would  not  have  fulfilled  the 
object,  or  satisfied  the  expectations  of  our  country 
in  this  institution.  It  was,  moreover,  believed  that, 
to  advance  in  science,  we  must  avail  ourselves  of 
the  lights  of  countries  already  advanced  before  us. 
It  was,  therefore,  deemed  most  advisable  to  resort 
to  Europe  for  some  of  the  professors,  and  of  prefer- 
ence to  the  countries  which  speak  the  same  language 
in  order  to  obtain  characters  of  the  first  grade  of 
science  in  their  respective  lines.  And,  to  make 
the  selection  with  proper  information,  caution  and 
advisement,  it  was  necessary  to  send  an  agent  of 
science  and  confidence.  Francis  W.  Gilmer,  a 
learned  and  trustworthy  citizen  of  this  State,  was 
appointed  and  has  proceeded  on  the  mission;  and 
should  his  object  be  accomplished  as  early  as 
expected,  we  count  on  opening  the  institution  on 
the  ist  day  of  February  next. 

Could  the  donation  of  the  last  legislature,  out 
of  the  debt  due  to  this  State  from  the  United  States, 
have  been  obtained  for  the  purposes  of  procuring  a 
library  and  the  apparatus  necessary  for  the  several 
schools  the  opportunity  would  have  been  highly 
advantageous  of  having  them  chosen  by  this  agent, 
while  in  Europe,  with  the  advice  and  assistance  of 
the  respective  professors.  But  the  application  was 
not  in  time  to  be  acted  on  before  the  adjournment 
of  the  late  Congress.  Yet  some  books  were  indis- 
pensable, and  some  apparatus  to  make  even  an 
imperfect  commencement.    To  procure  these  articles, 


458  Jefferson's  Works 


therefore,  and  to  defray  the  expenses  necessary 
for  the  other  objects  of  the  mission,  the  Board  was 
under  the  necessity  of  applying  to  these  purposes 
a  sum  of  10,000  dollars  of  the  annuity  of  the  present 
year,  and  to  leave  the  internal  finishing  of  the 
library,  however  much  to  be  regretted,  until  some 
opportunity  of  greater  convenience  should  occur. 

There  is  some  reason  to  doubt,  from  the  informa- 
tion received,  whether  our  agent  will  be  able  to 
effect  his  object  at  as  early  a  day  as  we  had  expected. 
But  of  this  more  will  be  known  in  time  for  its  com- 
munication by  the  rector  with  this  report.  Were 
it  still  possible  to  obtain  from  the  United  States  a 
settlement  of  so  much  of  the  claim  on  them  as  was 
appropriated  to  this  institution,  in  time  to  find 
our  agent  and  professors  yet  in  place  to  invest  it, 
our  University  would  open  under  auspices  highly 
propitious  in  comparison  with  those  to  which  it 
will  be  subjected  by  this  unfortunate  delay. 

The  success  of  our  collector  in  his  applications  for 
the  arrearages  due  from  subscribers,  has  not  been 
as  great  as  it  has  been  in  further  securing  the  sums 
which  had  not  yet  been  secured.  The  receipts  from 
this  resource  since  the  date  of  our  last  report  have 
amounted  to  2,069  dollars  88^-  cents — and  the  sums 
deemed  separate  and  still  to  be  received,  amount  to 
7,468  dollars  92^  cents. 

The  accounts  of  the  receipts,  disbursements  and 
funds  on  hand  for  the  year  ending  with  the  last 
month  of  September,  as  rendered  by  the  bursar  and 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  459 


proctor,  are  given  with  the  report  as  is  required  by 
law. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

October  5,  1824. 


At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Visitors 
of  the  University,  called  by  George  Loyall,  Chapman 
Johnson  and  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  while  attending  the 
last  session  of  the  legislature,  and  held  at  the  Uni- 
versity March  4,  1825. 

Present,  Thomas  Jefferson,  rector,  James  Madison, 
George  Loyall,  John  H.  Cocke  and  Joseph  C.  Cabell. 

Resolved,  that  in  consideration  of  the  delay 
Which  attended  the  opening  of  the  University 
beyond  the  day  on  which  it  had  been  announced, 
the  uncertainty  which  this  might  occasion  in  the 
minds  of  many  at  what  time  it  might  be  opened, 
and  the  temporary  engagements  which  in  conse- 
quence thereof  they  might  enter  into  elsewhere, 
notice  shall  be  given  that,  for  the  present  year, 
students  will  be  received  at  the  University  at  any 
time  of  the  year  when  they  become  disengaged,  on 
payment  of  so  much  only  of  the  usual  charges  as 
shall  be  proportioned  to  the  time  unexpired  at  the 
date  of  their  reception. 

A  blank  having  been  left  in  one  of  the  regulations 
of  the  4th  of  October  last,  respecting  the  price  of 
board  in  boarding-houses  not  within  the  precincts 
of  the  University,  resolved,  that  it  be  filled  with 
the  sum  of  120  dollars. 


460  Jefferson's  Works 


On  a  revision  of  the  rule  of  October  4  last,  respect- 
ing testimony  required  from  students,  it  was  pro- 
posed to  amend  the  same  by  striking  out  the  words, 
4 'if  unwilling  to  give  it,  let  the  moral  obligation  be 
explained  and  urged,  under  which  every  one  is 
bound  to  bear  witness  where  wrong  has  been  done, 
but  finally  let  it,"  and  to  insert  instead  thereof  the 
words,  "and  the  obligation  to  give  it  shall,"  which 
being  agreed  to,  the  rule  as  amended  now  stands 
in  these  words:  "When  testimony  is  required  from 
a  student,  it  shall  be  voluntary  and  not  on  oath, 
and  the  obligation  to  give  it  shall  be  left  to  his  own 
sense  of  right." 

A  resolution  was  moved  and  agreed  to  in  the 
following  words: 

Whereas,  it  is  the  duty  of  this  Board  to  the 
government  under  which  it  lives,  and  especially  to 
that  of  which  this  University  is  the  immediate 
creation,  to  pay  especial  attention  to  the  principles 
of  government  which  shall  be  inculcated  therein, 
and  to  provide  that  none  shall  be  inculcated  which 
are  incompatible  with  those  on  which  the  Consti- 
tutions of  this  State,  and  of  the  United  States  were 
genuinely  based,  in  the  common  opinion;  and  for 
this  purpose  it  may  be  necessary  to  point  out 
specially  where  these  principles  are  to  be  found 
legitimately  developed : 

Resolved,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board 
that  as  to  the  general  principles  of  liberty  and  the 
rights  of  man,  in  nature  and  in  society,  the  doc- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  461 


trines  of  Locke,  in  his  "  Essay  concerning  the  true 
original  extent  and  end  of  civil  government,"  and 
of  Sidney  in  his  "Discourses  on  government,"  may 
be  considered  as  those  generally  approved  by  our 
fellow  citizens  of  this,  and  the  United  States,  and 
that  on  the  distinctive  principles  of  the  govern- 
ment of  our  State,  and  of  that  of  the  United  States, 
the  best  guides  are  to  be  found  in,  1.  The  Declaration 
of  Independence,  as  the  fundamental  act  of  union 
of  these  States.  2.  The  book  known  by  the  title  of 
"  The  Federalist, "  being  an  authority  to  which  appeal 
is  habitually  made  by  all,  and  rarely  declined  or  denied 
by  any  as  evidence  of  the  general  opinion  of  those  who 
framed,  and  of  those  who  accepted  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States,  on  questions  as  to  its  genuine 
meaning.  3.  The  Resolutions  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  Virginia  in  1799  on  the  subject  of  the  alien  and  se- 
dition laws,  which  appeared  to  accord  with  the  pre- 
dominant sense  of  the  people  of  the  United  States. 
4.  The  valedictory  address  of  President  Washington, 
as  conveying  political  lessons  of  peculiar  value.  And 
that  in  the  branch  of  the  scnool  of  law,  which  is  to 
treat  on  the  subject  of  civil  polity,  these  shall  be 
used  as  the  text  and  documents  of  the  school. 

Resolved,  that  George  Tucker,  Esquire,  of  Lynch- 
burg, be  appointed  professor  of  the  school  of  moral 
philosophy. 

Resolved,  that  Doctor  John  Patton  Emmet,  of 
New  York,  be  appointed  professor  of  the  school  of 
natural  history. 


462  Jefferson's  Works 


Resolved,  that  whensoever  the  50,000  dollars, 
which  the  legislature  has  authorized  this  Board  to 
receive  from  the  General  Government  for  the  pur- 
chase of  a  library  and  apparatus,  shall  be  placed 
at  the  command  of  the  Board,  the  sum  of  6,000 
dollars  advanced  by  the  fund  for  building  and  other 
general  purposes  towards  the  purchase  of  books 
and  apparatus,  should  be  charged  to  the  Literary 
Fund,  and  replaced  to  the  credit  of  that  for  building 
and  other  general  purposes. 

Resolved,  that  on  receipt  of  the  said  50,000  dollars 
and  consequent  replenishment  of  the  building  fund, 
an  anatomical  theatre  be  built,  as  nearly  as  may 
be  on  the  plan  now  exhibited  to  the  Board. 

The  Board  adjourned  to  to-morrow. 


March  5,  the  Board  met  according  to  adjourn- 
ment, present  the  same  members  as  yesterday. 

Resolved,  that  on  payment  of  the  said  sum  of 
50,000  dollars  by  the  General  Government,  a  sum 
not  exceeding  6,000  dollars  thereof  be  advanced  on 
loan  to  the  building  fund  of  the  University  for  the 
purpose  of  finishing  the  interior  of  the  library-room. 

For  the  use  and  care  of  the  library  the  Board  now 
establishes  the  following  regulations : 

The  professors  of  the  University  shall  at  all  times 
have  free  use  of  the  books  of  the  library,  in  con- 
fidence that  they  will  not  keep  them  out  longer 
than  while  in  actual  use,  and  leaving  with  the 
librarian  a  note  of  the  books  borrowed. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  463 


Books  may  be  lent  to  the  students  of  the  Univer- 
sity, by  the  librarian,  and  by  no  other  person,  on 
a  written  permit  from  a  professor  whom  such 
student  attends,  specifying  the  day  beyond  which 
they  will  not  be  retained.  But  it  is  meant  that 
the  books  lent  are  for  reading  only,  and  not  for 
the  ordinary  purpose  of  getting  lessons  in  them  as 
school  books. 

No  student  shall  carry  any  book  borrowed  from 
the  library,  out  of  the  precincts  of  the  University; 
nor  shall  any  student  be  permitted  to  have  more 
than  three  volumes  in  his  possession  at  any  time. 

If  a  student  shall  not  return  a  borrowed  book 
on  or  before  the  day  limited  in  his  permit,  he  shall 
receive  no  other  until  it  be  returned;  and  he  shall 
pay,  moreover,  for  every  week's  detention  beyond 
the  limitation,  ten  cents  for  a  12 mo.  or  book  of 
smaller  size,  twenty  cents  for  an  8mo.,  thirty  cents 
for  a  4mo.  and  forty  cents  for  a  folio. 

Not  every  book  in  the  library  shall  be  free  to 
be  lent  to  students,  but  such  only  as  shall  not  be 
expressly  prohibited  by  the  faculty  on  account 
of  their  rarity,  value  or  liableness  to  injury. 

No  student  shall  ever  be  in  the  library  but  in 
presence  of  the  librarian,  or  of  some  professor 
whom  he  attends,  nor  shall  be  allowed  to  take 
any  book  from  the  shelves,  nor  remain  in  the  room 
to  read  or  consult  any  book,  but  during  such  presence. 

If  any  student  deface,  injure,  or  lose  any  book 
of  the  library,  he  shall  pay  the  value  of  the  book 


464  Jefferson's  Works 


if  defaced,  double  value  if  injured,  and  threefold, 
if  lost;  and  shall  be  suspended  from  the  privilege 
of  borrowing  during  such  term  as  the  faculty  shall 
adjudge. 

On  some  one  day  of  every  week  during  term, 
and  during  one  hour  of  that  day  (such  day  and 
hour  to  be  fixed  on  by  the  faculty)  the  librarian 
shall  attend  in  the  library,  to  receive  books  returned, 
and  to  lend  such  others  as  shall  be  applied  for 
according  to  rule.  And  at  some  one  hour  of  every 
day  (to  be  fixed  by  the  faculty)  the  librarian 
shall  attend,  if  requested  by  any  such  professor, 
such  book  or  books  as  he  may  require,  and  to 
receive  any  he  may  have  to  return. 

The  librarian  shall  make  an  entry  of  every  book 
lent,  and  cancel  the  same  when  returned,  so  that 
it  may  always  be  known  in  what  hands  every  book  is. 

Strangers  whom  the  librarian  may  be  willing  to 
attend,  may  visit  the  library;  but,  to  prevent 
derangement  of  the  books,  they  are  to  take  no 
book  from  the  shelf,  but  in  his  presence.  They 
may  also  be  permitted  to  consult  any  book,  to 
read  in  it,  make  notes  or  quotations  from  it,  at 
the  table,  under  such  accommodations  and  arrange- 
ments as  the  librarian  shall  prescribe,  on  his  own 
responsibility. 

Resolved,  that  the  salary  of  the  librarian  be 
raised  to  the  sum  of  150  dollars. 

Resolved,  that  the  moneys,  expected  as  before 
mentioned  from  the  General  Goverment,  shall  be 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  465 


paid,  the  Board  consider  it  advisable  to  employ 
Mr.  Hilliard,  of  the  firm  of  Cummings,  Hilliard 
and  Co.,  of  Boston,  to  purchase  the  library  of  the 
University,  according  to  the  catalogue  which  has 
been  made. 

Resolved,  that  the  professorships  of  the  school  of 
law  be  proposed  to  Chancellor  Henry  St.  George 
Tucker,  and  in  the  event  of  his  refusal,  then  to 
Judge  Philip  P.  Barbour,  and  if  he  should  refuse, 
that  then  the  rector  be  authorized  to  call  the  Board 
for  the  purpose  of  further  proceeding  towards 
making  the  appointment. 

Resolved,  that  the  loan  of  5,000  dollars,  which 
has  been  negotiated  by  the  bursar  of  the  Univer- 
sity with  the  Farmers'  Bank  of  Virginia,  and  the 
terms  on  which  the  same  has  been  negotiated,  be 
confirmed  by  the  Board  of  Visitors,  and  the  funds 
of  the  University  are  hereby  pledged  for  the  reim- 
bursement of  the  said  loan. 

A  letter  having  been  addressed  to  the  Board 
of  Visitors  by  Mr.  Bonnycastle,  professor  of  natural 
philosophy,  representing  that  from  the  communi- 
cations with  the  agent  of  the  Board,  on  the  subject 
of  his  appointment,  he  conceived  himself  entitled 
to  expect  that  a  bond  of  his  to  the  British  govern- 
ment to  the  amount  of  £500  would  be  advanced: 
Resolved,  that  the  rector  be  requested  to  obtain 
from  Mr.  Gilmer  his  view  of  the  understanding 
which  took  place  on  the  occasion;  and  if  it  should 
appear  to  the  rector,  from  the  circumstances  of  the 

VOL.  XTX   30 


466  Jefferson's  Works 


case,  that  the  interest  and  credit  of  the  University 
would  justify  and  require  the  advances,  in  that 
event  it  shall  be  made  from  the  funds  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

Resolved,  that  John  H.  Cocke  and  Jos.  C.  Cabell 
be  appointed  a  committee  to  settle  the  accounts  of 
the  proctor  and  the  bursar  of  the  University. 

And  the  Board  adjourned  without  day. 

Th.  Jefferson. 

March  5,  1825. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia  at  the  said  University  on  Monday  the 
3d  of  October,  1825,  at  which  were  present  Thomas 
Jefferson,  rector,  James  Madison,  James  Brecken- 
ridge,  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  John  H.  Cocke,  Chapman 
Johnson  and  George  Loyall. 

In  pursuance  of  the  resolution  of  the  Board  of 
the  5th  of  March  last,  on  the  subject  of  a  claim  of 
Mr.  Bonnycastle  to  the  discharge  of  a  certain  bond 
for  £500  sterling,  given  by  him  to  the  British 
government,  the  rector  having  agreed  with  him 
that  the  money  payment  thereof  should  be  advanced 
by  the  University  to  be  repaid  by  him  in  instal- 
ments, Resolved,  that  the  Board  approves  of  the 
said  agreement,  and  of  the  provisional  measures 
taken  by  the  rector  in  his  letters  to  Rufus  King, 
and  Peter  Barlow,  bearing  date  the  30th  of  June 
last,  for  its  advance,  if  required  by  that  government. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  467 


Resolved,  that  the  Board  ratifies  and  confirms 
the  purchase  lately  made  by  the  rector  of  132  acres 
of  land  of  John  M.  Perry,  lying  between  and  adjacent 
to  the  wvvo  parcels  of  107.8  and  153  acres  here- 
tofore owned  by  the  University,  which  purchase  was 
made  on  the  proposition  of  the  rector  with  the 
approbation  of  the  following  members,  to  wit: 
Of  James  Madison,  James  Breckenridge,  John  H. 
Cocke,  Joseph  C.  Cabell  and  George  Loyall,  pre- 
viously expressed  in  letters  from  them  individually 
to  the  rector,  and  the  payment  already  made 
towards  the  same,  is  approved. 

Resolved,  that  the  Board  approves  of  the  advance 
of  18,000  dollars  to  William  Hilliard,  agent  for  pro- 
curing the  library,  of  the  deposit  made  in  the  hands 
of  Rufus  King,  Esquire,  of  6,300  dollars  for  the 
purchase  of  a  philosophical  apparatus,  and  of  that 
of  3,157  dollars  50  cents,  in  the  same  hands,  for 
articles  necessary  for  the  anatomical  school,  with 
the  instructions  relative  thereto  given  by  the  rector, 
and  also  of  the  purchase,  and  payment  of  500 
dollars  for  Doctor  Emmet's  chemical  apparatus  and 
collection  of  minerals. 

Resolved,  that  the  temporary  application  of  5,000 
dollars  of  the  library  fund,  which  was  lying  unem- 
ployed in  the  Bank  of  Virginia,  to  take  up  the 
note  for  the  like  sum,  lent  by  the  Farmer's  Bank 
of  Virginia  to  the  University,  thereby  saving  its 
interest,  and  also  of  so  much  of  the  said  fund  as 

1  See  Journal  of  March  29,  18 19,  similar  resolution. 


468  Jefferson's  Works 


was  necessary  to  make  the  first  payment  to  Perry, 
is  approved,  and  that  the  same  sums  be  replaced 
from  the  general  fund  when  necessary. 

Resolved,  that  Francis  Walker  Gilmer  be  appointed 
professor  of  the  school  of  law. 

Resolved,  that  it  be  communicated  to  the  Faculty 
of  the  professors  of  the  University,  as  the  earnest 
request  and  recommendation  of  the  rector  and 
Visitors,  that  so  far  as  can  be  effected  by  their 
exertions,  they  cause  the  statutes  and  rules  enacted 
'for  the  government  of  the  University,  to  be  exactly 
and  strictly  observed;  that  the  roll  of  each  school 
particularly  be  punctually  called  at  the  hour  at 
which  its  students  should  attend;  that  the  absent 
and  the  tardy,  without  reasonable  cause,  be  noted, 
and  a  copy  of  these  notations  be  communicated  by 
mail  or  otherwise  to  the  parent  or  guardian  of 
each  student  respectively,  on  the  first  days  of  every 
month  during  the  term  (instead  of  the  days  pre- 
scribed in  a  former  statute  for  such  communications). 

That  it  is  requested  of  them  to  make  known  to 
the  students  that  it  is  with  great  regret  that  some 
breaches  of  order,  committed  by  the  unworthy 
few  who  lurk  among  them  unknown,  render  neces- 
sary the  extension  to  all  of  processes  afflicting  to 
the  feelings  of  those  who  are  conscious  of  their 
own  correctness,  and  who  are  above  all  participa- 
tion in  these  vicious  irregularities.  While  the 
offenders  continue  unknown  the  tarnish  of  their 
faults  spreads  itself  over  the  worthy  also,  and  con- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  469 


founds  all  in  a  common  censure.  But  that  it  is 
in  their  power  to  relieve  themselves  from  the  impu- 
tations and  painful  proceedings  to  which  they  are 
thereby  subjected,  by  lending  their  aid  to  the 
faculty,  on  all  occasions  towards  detecting  the 
real  guilty.  The  Visitors  are  aware  that  a  pre- 
judice prevails  too  extensively  among  the  young 
that  it  is  dishonorable  to  bear  witness  one  against 
another.  While  this  prevails,  and  under  the  form 
of  a  matter  of  conscience,  they  have  been  unwilling 
to  authorize  constraint,  and  have  therefore,  in  their 
regulations  on  this  subject,  indulged  the  error, 
however  unfounded  in  reason  or  morality.  But 
this  loose  principle  in  the  ethics  of  school-boy 
combinations,  is  unworthy  of  mature  and  regulated 
minds,  and  is  accordingly  condemned  by  the  laws 
of  their  country,  which,  in  offences  within  their 
cognisance,  compel  those  who  have  knowledge  of 
a  fact,  to  declare  it  for  the  purposes  of  justice, 
and  of  the  general  good  and  safety  of  society.  And 
certainly,  where  wrong  has  been  done,  he  who 
knows  and  conceals  the  doer  of  it,  makes  himself 
an  accomplice,  and  justly  censurable  as  such.  It 
becomes  then  but  an  act  of  justice  to  themselves, 
that  the  innocent  and  the  worthy  should  throw 
off  with  disdain  all  communion  of  character  with 
such  offenders,  should  determine  no  longer  to 
screen  the  irregular  and  the  vicious  under  the 
respect  of  their  cloak,  and  to  notify  them,  even 
by  a  solemn  association  for  the  purpose,  that  they 


47°  Jefferson's  Works 


will  co-operate  with  the  faculty  in  future,  for  pre- 
servation of  order,  the  vindication  of  their  own 
character,  and  the  reputation  and  usefulness  of  an 
institution  which  their  country  has  so  liberally 
established  for  their  improvement,  and  to  place 
within  their  reach  those  acquirements  in  knowledge 
on  which  their  future  happiness  and  fortunes  depend. 
Let  the  good  and  the  virtuous  of  the  alumni  of 
the  University  do  this,  and  the  disorderly  will 
then  be  singled  out  for  observation,  and  deterred 
by  punishment,  or  disabled  by  expulsion,  from 
infecting  with  their  inconsideration  the  institution 
itself,  and  the  sound  mass  of  those  which  it  is  pre- 
paring for  virtue  and  usefulness. 

Although  nocturnal  absences  from  their  chambers 
occasionally  happening  are  not  entirely  forbidden, 
yet  if  frequent,  habitual,  or  without  excusable 
cause,  they  should  be  also  noted  and  reported, 
with  other  special  delinquencies,  to  the  parent  or 
guardian. 

The  rector  and  Visitors,  impressed  themselves 
with  the  beneficial  effect,  and  the  necessity  of 
strict  examinations  of  the  students,  on  the  topics 
of  the  lectures  and  lessons  delivered  them,  recom- 
mend this  practice  to  the  consideration  and  attention 
of  the  professors. 

The  Board,  considering  that  it  will  be  for  the 
benefit  of  the  school  of  medicine  that  its  professor 
should  have  opportunities  of  keeping  in  mind,  to 
a  certain  degree,  the  practical  part  of  his  profession, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts        47 1 

and  of  acquiring  moreover  a  knowledge  of  the 
peculiarities  of  disease  incident  to  our  climate 
and  country,  are  of  opinion  that,  besides  the  habitual 
practice  within  the  precincts  of  the  University, 
allowed  by  a  former  resolution,  he  be  permitted 
also  to  act  as  a  consulting  physician  elsewhere, 
so  timing  these  avocations  however,  as  not  to 
interrupt  the  regular  business  of  his  school. 

The  4.55  acres  of  land  purchased  of  Daniel  A. 
Piper  and  Mary  his  wife,  since  the  date  of  the  statute 
defining  the  precincts  of  the  University,  and  adja- 
cent to  the  public  road  as  now  established,  are 
made  a  part  of  the  said  precincts. 

Resolved,  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  faculty 
of  professors  in  their  appointment  of  a  janitor,  to 
have  regard  to  his  qualifications  in  law  as  a  witness 
to  transactions  passing  within  his  notice,  and  that 
such  a  janitor  be  allowed  wages  not  exceeding  200 
dollars  a  year,  and  a  room  to  lodge  in,  he  dieting 
and  otherwise  finding  himself. 

Resolved,  that  on  a  renewal  of  the  leases  of  the 
hotels,  it  shall  be  made  a  covenant  and  condition 
of  the  leases  that  the  tenants  shall  furnish  no  enter- 
tainment in  his  tenement  for  pay  or  compensation 
of  any  kind,  to  any  one  who  is  not  a  student  of, 
or  attached  to,  the  University,  or  a  member  of  his 
own  family;  nor  shall  he  permit  his  tenement, 
or  any  part  of  it,  without  compensation,  to  be 
used  for  any  other  then  the  purposes  of  a  boarding- 
house.     The  faculty  of  professors,  on  these  ques- 


47 2  Jefferson's  Works 


tions,  shall  be  judges  of  the  matter  of  fact,  and, 
finding  it  true,  shall  decide  either  on  the  immediate 
termination  of  the  lease,  and  removal  of  the  tenant 
or  his  continuance  on  such  special  conditions  as 
shall  satisfy  them  against  a  repetition  of  the  offense. 

Resolved,  that  the  35th  enactment  be  amended 
by  striking  therefrom  the  following  words,  "  within 
those  precincts,  within  their  own  chamber  or  in 
diet,  a  seat  of  degradation  in  his  school-room  of 
longer  or  of  shorter  duration,  removal  to  a  lower 
class,  imposition  of  a  task." 

Resolved,  that  the  36th  enactment  be  amended 
by  striking  therefrom  the  word  "minor"  and 
inserting  in  lieu  thereof  the  word  " major." 

Resolved,  that  the  39th  enactment  be  amended 
by  striking  therefrom  the  words  "impose  a  task." 

Resolved,  that  the  43d  enactment  be  amended 
by  striking  therefrom  the  following  words,  "and 
repetitions  of  such  offences  by  expulsion  from  the 
University,"  and  inserting  in  lieu  thereof  the  follow- 
ing words,  "or  any  of  the  minor  or  major  punish- 
ments at  the  discretion  of  the  faculty." 

Resolved,  that  the  43d  enactment  be  amended 
by  adding  thereto  the  following  words,  "that  every 
occupant  of  a  dormitory  permitting  these  offences 
therein,  be  subject  to  any  of  the  minor  punishments 
at  the  discretion  of  the  faculty." 

Resolved,  that  the  faculty  shall  have  the  power, 
for  offensive  conduct,  of  removing  the  occupant 
from  any  dormitory. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  473 


Resolved,  that  if  a  student  be  irregular  in  all 
his  classes  for  more  than  a  month,  after  his  parent 
or  guardian  has  been  informed,  the  faculty  shall 
have  the  discretionary  power  to  dismiss  him  from 
the  University. 

Resolved,  that  the  faculty  shall  have  power 
from  time  to  time  to  prescribe  regulations  of  police, 
not  inconsistent  with  the  laws  of  the  land,  or  the 
enactments  of  this  Board,  which  regulations  shall 
be  submitted  to  the  Visitors  at  their  next  succeed- 
ing meeting  and  shall  be  in  force  till  disapproved 
by  the  Visitors  or  repealed  by  the  faculty. 

The  Board  then  adjourned  to  to-morrow. 


Tuesday,  October  4. 

The  Board  met  according  to  adjournment.  Pre- 
sent the  same  members  as  yesterday. 

On  complaint  from  the  faculty  of  certain  riotous 
proceedings  of  some  of  the  students  on  the  nights 
of  September  30  and  October  2,  and  of  insults  on 
some  of  the  professors,  the  whole  of  the  students 
were  called  before  the  Board  of  Visitors,  they  were 
exhorted  to  state  to  the  Board  the  facts  which 
had  taken  place  within  their  knowledge,  whereupon 
fourteen  of  them  came  forward  and  acknowledged 
that  on  the  night  of  the  second  they  had  masked 
and  disguised  themselves  and  gone  out  on  the  lawn 
where  they  had  made  some  noise,  but  denied  they 
had  committed  any  trespasses  or  insults  on  the 


474  Jefferson's  Works 


professors,  and  on  their  engaging  to  appear  before 
the  board  of  the  faculty  and  to  repeat  to  them  the 
information  now  given,  they  were  dismissed. 

The  Board  receives  from  Messrs.  Key  and  Long 
a  written  declaration  that  in  consequence  of  the 
transactions  which  had  taken  place,  and  particu- 
larly of  a  remonstrance  of  the  day  before  sub- 
scribed by  sixty-five  students,  they  could  no  longer 
remain  in  their  present  situations,  that  they  had  lost 
all  confidence  in  the  signers  of  that  remonstrance, 
and  cannot  and  will  not  meet  them  again. 

The  Board  adjourned  to  to-morrow. 


Wednesday,  October  5. 

The  Board  met  according  to  adjournment.  Pre- 
sent  the  same  members  as  yesterday. 

Resolved  that  the  47th  enactment  be  amended; 
by  inserting  after  the  word  " chewing"  the  words 
"or  smoking." 

No  student  shall  appear  out  of  his  dormitory 
masked  or  disguised  in  any  manner  whatever, 
which  may  render  the  recognition  of  his  person 
more  difficult,  on  pain  of  suspension  or  expulsion 
by  the  faculty  of  professors. 

Intoxication  shall,  for  the  first  offense,  be  liable 
to  any  of  the  minor  punishments,  and  any  repetition 
of  the  offence  to  any  of  the  major  punishments. 

Resolved,  that  the  40th  enactment  be  amended, 
by  inserting  after  the  word  "  dissipation,  "  the  words 
"of  profane  swearing." 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  475 


No  person  who  has  been  a  student  at  any  other 
incorporated  seminary  of  learning  shall  be  received 
at  this  University,  but  on  producing  a  certificate 
from  such  seminary  or  other  satisfactory  evidence 
to  the  faculty  with  respect  to  his  general  good 
conduct. 

The  professors  being  charged  with  the  execution 
of  the  laws  of  the  University,  it  becomes  their 
duty  to  pursue  proper  means  to  discover  and  pre- 
vent offences.  Respect  from  the  student  to  the 
professor  being  at  all  times  due,  it  is  more  especially 
so  when  the  professor  is  engaged  in  his  duty.  Such 
respect,  therefore,  is  solemnly  enjoined  on  every 
student,  and  it  is  declared  and  enacted,  that  if 
any  student  refuse  his  name  to  a  professor,  or 
being  required  by  him  to  stop,  shall  fail  to  do  so, 
or  shall  be  guilty  of  any  other  disrespect  to  a  pro- 
fessor, he  shall  be  liable  to  any  of  the  punishments, 
minor  or  major. 

Resolved,  that  the  compensation  to  the  accountant 
whom  the  committee  of  accounts  has  employed  or 
may  employ  at  any  time  be  ten  dollars  a  day  while 
employed. 

The  act  of  Congress  imposing  an  additional  duty 
of  15  per  cent  on  works  of  marble,  having  been 
passed  after  the  marble  capitals  for  the  portico  of 
the  rotunda  had  been  ordered,  it  is  considered  as 
retrospective  and  unjust,  and  that  it  will  be  proper 
to  apply  to  Congress  for  a  remission  of  that  portion 
of  duty  thereon,  as  it  may  be  thought  by  that 


476  Jefferson's  Works 


body  but  a  just  encouragement  to  science  to  relieve 
the  University  from  the  old  as  well  as  new  duties 
on  the  marbles  recently  received  for  the  same 
building,  it  will  be  expedient  to  bond  the  whole 
duties  for  eight  months  to  give  time  for  application 
to  Congress  on  the  subject.  And  thereupon  the 
members  executed  the  requisite  bond  in  their 
individual  characters,  instructing  at  the  same  time, 
the  proctor  to  retain  in  his  hand  always  a  sufficient 
sum  to  pay  the  duties,  old  and  new,  if  ultimately 
required. 

Resolved,  that  400  copies  of  a  new  edition  of 
the  enactments  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  for  the 
government  of  the  University  be  printed,  in  which 
the  amendments  made  since  the  date  of  each  enact- 
ment shall  be  incorporated,  so  that  the  same  shall 
read  in  form  and  substance  as  now  established. 

The  Board  being  of  the  opinion  that  so  much 
of  the  ground  of  the  University  as  can  be  con- 
veniently applied  to  that  purpose,  should  be  laid 
off  in  lots  for  the  uses  of  the  professors,  the  proctor 
and  keepers  of  the  hotels,  rent  free,  but  to  be  enclosed 
and  improved  at  their  expense;  therefore, 

Resolved,  that  the  proctor,  under  the  direction 
of  the  executive  committee,  do  cause  such  lots  to 
be  laid  off,  and  assigned  to  the  several  pavilions 
and  hotels  and  to  the  proctor's  house. 

Resolved,  that  on  the  supposition  that  the  renters 
of  the  hotels  might  reasonably  have  expected  thirty- 
three  boarders  for  the  term,  at  the  rent  of  200  dollars 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  477 


(283  days,  200  dollars),  in  which  they  have  been 
more  or  less  disappointed,  the  Board  of  Visitors 
deem  it  just  that  in  consideration  of  the  particular 
circumstances  of  the  present  year  an  abatement 
should  be  made  in  the  rent  of  each  in  the  propor- 
tion of  the  number  of  boarders  each  had,  and  the 
time  of  his  boarding  with  them  combined. 
The  Board  adjourned  to  to-morrow  morning. 


Thursday,  October  6. 

The  Board  met  according  to  adjournment.  Pre- 
sent the  same  members  as  yesterday. 

Resolved,  that  Mr.  Johnson,  Mr.  Cabell,  and  Mr. 
Loyall  be  appointed  a  committee,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  consider  and  enquire  what  system  may 
be  digested  for  the  better  government  of  the  Uni- 
versity; that  they  be  especially  charged  with  the 
duty  of  considering  how  far  it  may  be  practicable 
and  prudent  to  connect  with  the  University  a  court 
having  cognisance  over  misdemeanors  committed 
within  the  precincts  of  the  University,  and  over 
those  committed  by  members  of  the  University, 
within  the  county  of  Albemarle,  and  that  they 
report  thereupon  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Visitors. 

Resolved,  that  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the 
report  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  preceding 
resolution,  and  of  acting  thereupon,  and  for  the 
transaction  of  such  other  business  as  may  then 
require  attention,  an  extra  meeting  of  the  Board 
be  held  on  the  second  Monday  in  December  next. 


478  Jefferson's  Works 


A  communication  from  the  faculty  of  professors 
is  received  in  the  following  words,  to  wit:  "Uni- 
versity of  Virginia.  Ordered,  that  Wilson  Miles 
Carey  having,  on  the  night  of  the  ist  instant,  resisted 
the  authority  of  a  professor,  used  violence  against 
him,  and  excited  others  to  follow  his  example,  and 
for  abusive  epithets  concerning  the  said  professor, 
be  expelled  from  the  University.  Copied  from  the 
minutes  of  the  faculty.  Robert  Dunglison,  secre- 
tary. George  Tucker,  chairman  of  the  faculty. 
October  6,  1825."  Resolved,  that  the  said  sentence 
is  unanimously  approved  by  the  Board  of  Visitors. 

Another  communication  from  the  said  professors 
is  received  in  the  following  words,  to  wit:  " Uni- 
versity of  Virginia.  Ordered,  that  William  L.  Eyre 
having,  on  the  night  of  the  ist  instant,  promoted 
a  riot  by  repeatedly  using  indecent  and  approbrious 
language  respecting  some  of  the  professors  during 
the  disturbance  of  the  night  in  question,  and  having 
refused  to  give  his  name  when  called  upon  by  two 
professors,  be  expelled  from  the  University.  Copied 
from  the  minutes  of  the  faculty.  Robert  Dung- 
lison, secretary.  George  Tucker,  chairman.  1825, 
October  6."  Resolved,  that  the  said  sentence  is 
unanimously  approved  by  the  Board  of  Visitors. 

A  third  communication  from  the  said  professors 
is  also  received  in  the  following  words,  to  wit :  "  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia.  Ordered,  that  Robert  A.  Thomp- 
son having,  on  the  night  of  the  first  instant,  armed 
himself  with  a  stick  for  the  purpose  of  resisting 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  479 


the  authority  of  two  professors,  be  expelled  from 
the  University.  Copied  from  the  minutes  of  the 
faculty.  Robert  Dunglison,  secretary.  George 
Tucker,  chairman.  October  6,  1825."  Resolved, 
that  the  said  sentence  is  approved  by  the  Board  of 
Visitors. 

A  letter  is  received  from  T.  H.  Key  and  George 
Long  in  these  words,  to  wit:  "To  the  rector  and 
Visitors  of  the  University  of  Virginia:  Gentlemen, 
The  undersigned  professors  of  the  University  of 
Virginia  hereby  tender  to  you  the  resignation  of 
their  respective  chairs.  T.  H.  Key,  George  Long. 
October  6,  1825." 

Resolved,  that  Chapman  Johnson,  Joseph  C. 
Cabell  and  John  H.  Cocke  be  a  committee  to  com- 
municate to  Professors  Key  and  Long  the  objec- 
tions which  occur  to  the  Board  to  the  resignation 
of  their  offices  as  proposed  in  theirs  of  this  day, 
and  to  confer  with  the  said  professors  on  the  sub- 
ject of  that  letter. 

Resolved,  that  the  said  committee  do  make 
known  to  the  faculty  of  professors  the  proceed- 
ings which  have  been  had  upon  their  commu- 
nication of  the  second  day  of  this  month,  relative  to 
the  disorders  in  the  University,  which  have  lately 
occurred,  and  that  they  also  make  known  to  them 
the  names  of  those  students  who  voluntarily  acknow- 
ledge themselves  present  and  agents  in  some  of  the 
transactions  complained  of. 

The  Board  adjourned  to  to-morrow. 


Jefferson's  Works 


Friday.  October  7,  1825/' 

The  Board  met  according  tc  adjournment.  Pre- 
sent the  same  members  as  yesterday. 

Resolved,  that  the  pre  etc  r  be  charged  with  the 
duty  at  all  times,  as  the  attorney  in  fact  of  the 
rector  and  Visiters,  of  preventing  trespasses  and 
intrusions  on  the  property  of  the  University  real 
and  personal,  and  of  recovering  its  possession  from 
any  person  who  shall  improperly  withhold  the 
same.  and.  for  this  purpose,  that  he  institute  such 
legal  proceeding  as  may  be  proper.  It  shall  also 
be  his  duty  to  lay  before  the  civil  authorities,  and 
to  communicate  to  the  proper  law  officer,  such 
information  as  he  may  at  any  time  have,  and  as 
may  be  calculated  t:  prevent  or  punish  breaches 
of  the  peace,  trespasses  and  other  misdemeanors 
within  the  precincts  of  the  University,  or  com- 
mitted by  students  elsewhere,  and  especially  that  he 
take  the  proper  measures  to  bring  the  late  offenses 
at  the  University  before  the  civil  authorities. 

A  motion  was  made  in  the  following  words,  to 
wit:  "After  the  present  year,  the  annual  vacation 
shall  commence  on  the  1st  of  August  and  terminate 
on  the  14th  of  September.  There  may,  moreover, 
be  allowed  a  recess  of  all  the  schools  for  two  weeks 
at  Christmas.  This  regulation  curtailing  the  next 
session  to  six- tenths  of  the  usual  length,  the  fees 
of  the  students  for  that  session  shall  be  reduced 
accordingly.    But  this  resolution  shall  be  suspended 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  481 

till  approved  by  all  the  professors.  And  the  said 
motion  was  ordered  to  be  laid  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  that  the  Board  of  Visitors  do  not 
accept  the  resignation  of  the  chairs  of  Professors 
T.  H.  Key  and  George  Long.  The  proctor  is 
requested  to  communicate  this  resolution  to  those 
gentlemen. 

Resolved,  that  in  case  of  vacancy  in  the  office  of 
any  professor  happening  during  the  recess  of  this 
Board,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  executive  committee 
to  make  such  temporary  arrangement  for  dis- 
charging the  duties  of  the  vacant  chair  as  they 
deem  expedient;  provided  that  such  arrangement 
be  not  for  a  longer  time  than  the  next  meeting  of 
the  Board.  If  such  vacancy  shall  involve  the 
breach  of  contract  on  the  part  of  any  professor, 
the  proctor  shall  be  required  to  cause  an  action 
of  covenant,  or  other  proper  action,  to  be  brought 
upon  the  contract,  unless  the  executive  committee 
shall  deem  it  inexpedient. 

A  form  of  a  report,  as  annually  required  to  be 
made  to  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund,  on  the  funds  and  condition  of  the  Univer- 
sity, was  then  proposed,  amended,  and  agreed,  in 
the  following  words: 

To  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Literary 
Fund: 

In  obedience  to  the  law  requiring  that  the  rector 
and  Visitors  of  the  University  of  Virginia  should 
make  a  report  annually  to  the  president  and  direc- 

VOL.  XIX  — 31 


482  Jefferson's  Works 


tors  of  the  Literary  Fund  (to  be  laid  before  the 
legislature  at  their  next  succeeding  session),  embrac- 
ing a  full  account  of  the  disbursements,  the  funds 
on  hand,  and  a  general  statement  of  the  condition 
of  the  said  University,  the  said  rector  and  Visitors 
make  the  following  report; 

That  which  was  rendered  on  the  5  th  of  October 
of  the  last  year  informed  the  president  and  directors 
of  the  Literary  Fund  of  the  state  of  preparation 
to  which  we  were  then  advanced  towards  getting 
the  institution  into  actual  operation,  of  the  measures 
taken  for  procuring  professors  for  the  several  schools, 
for  purchasing  some  books  and  apparatus,  and  of 
the  ground  of  hope  then  existing  that  it  might 
be  actually  opened  on  the  1st  day  of  February, 
then  next  ensuing.  It  was  not,  however,  until  the 
7th  of  March  that  the  professors  of  ancient  and 
modern  languages,  of  mathematics,  of  natural  phil- 
osophy and  of  anatomy  and  medicine,  being  in 
place,  the  institution  was  opened,  and  put  into 
operation.  Professors  of  the  schools  of  moral  phil- 
osophy and  natural  history  were  received  at  short 
intervals  afterwards;  but  no  satisfactory  engage- 
ment having  been  effected,  till  lately,  of  a  professor 
for  the  chair  of  law,  that  school  has  not  yet  been 
opened,  nor  is  it  decided  whether  it  will  be  most 
eligible  to  put  it  into  operation  at  this  advanced 
season  of  the  year,  or  to  await  the  beginning  of 
the  term  in  February  next.  The  commencement 
on  the  7th  of  March  was  with  about  forty  students, 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  483 

others  continued  to  arrive  from  day  to  day  at  first, 
and  from  week  to  week  since,  and  the  whole  number 
matriculated  on  the  last  day  of  the  last  month 
of  September  was  116.  Few  more  can  be  expected 
during  the  present  term,  which  closes  on  the  15th 
of  December  next.  And  the  state  of  the  schools 
on  the  same  day  was  as  follows: 

In  the  school  of  ancient  languages  were  5  5  scholars ; 
modern  languages,  64;  mathematics,  68;  natural 
philosophy,  33;  natural  history,  30;  anatomy  and 
medicine,  20;  moral  philosophy,  14. 

From  the  information  received  from  different 
quarters  we  have  reason  to  expect  a  large  accession 
to  our  numbers  at  the  commencement  of  the  next 
term.  The  dormitories  now  provided  can  accom- 
modate 218  students,  the  neighboring  town  of 
Charlottesville  perhaps  fifty  more.  But  should 
more  be  offered  they  could  not  be  received.  Ex- 
boarders,  too,  will  labor  under  serious  disadvantages, 
as,  besides  increased  opportunities  of  relaxed  order, 
they  must  lose  the  use  of  the  library,  the  books 
of  which  cannot  be  permitted  to  be  carried  out 
of  the  precincts  of  the  University. 

A  printed  copy  of  the  statutes  and  regulations 
enacted  by  the  Board  of  Visitors  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  University  is  now  communicated. 
We  have  thought  it  peculiarly  requisite  to  leave 
to  the  civil  magistrate  the  restraint  and  punish- 
ment of  all  offences  which  come  within  the  ordinary 
cognisance  of  the  laws.    At  the  age  of  sixteen,  the 


4^4  Jefferson's  Works 


earliest  period  of  admission  into  the  University, 
habits  of  obedience  to  the  laws  become  a  proper 
part  of  education  and  practice.  The  minor  pro- 
visions and  irregularities  alone  (unnoticed  by  the 
laws  of  the  land)  are  the  peculiar  subjects  of  aca- 
demical authority.  No  system  of  these  provisions 
has  ever  yet  prevented  all  disorder.  Those  first 
provided  by  this  Board  were  founded  on  the  prin- 
ciples of  avoiding  too  much  government,  of  not 
multiplying  occasions  of  coercion,  by  erecting  indif- 
ferent actions  into  things  of  offense,  and  of  leaving 
room  to  the  student  for  habitually  exercising  his 
own  discretion.  But  experience  has  already  proved 
that  stricter  provisions  are  necessary  for  the  pres- 
ervation of  order.  That  coercion  must  be  resorted 
to  where  confidence  has  been  disappointed.  We 
have  accordingly,  at  the  present  session,  consider- 
ably amended  and  enlarged  the  scope  of  our  former 
system  of  regulations,  and  we  shall  proceed  in  the 
duties  of  tightening  or  relaxing  the  reins  of  govern- 
ment as  experience  shall  instruct  us  in  the  progress 
of  the  institution;  and  we  are  not  certain  that  the 
further  aid  of  the  legislature  itself  will  not  be  neces- 
sary to  enable  the  authorities  of  the  institution  to 
interpose,  in  some  cases,  with  more  promptitude, 
energy  and  effect  than  is  permitted  by  the  laws  as 
they  stand  at  present. 

The  lands  heretofore  purchased  for  the  use  of  the 
University,  consisted  of  two  parcels,  about  a  half 
mile  distant  the  one  from  the  other;  the  one  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  485 

153  acres,  comprehending  a  small  mountain,  pecu- 
liarly adapted,  and  important  to  be  secured,  for 
the  purpose  of  an  observatory,  whenever  the 
future  advance  of  circumstances  may  render  such 
an  establishment  desirable.  The  other  of  107.8 
acres,  made  up  of  several  small  purchases,  which 
constitute  the  site  of  the  University  itself.  Between 
these  is  a  parcel  of  132  acres,  which,  besides  the 
consolidation  of  these  possessions,  and  other  and 
great  conveniences  offered  by  it,  lies  in  the  way 
of  the  water  necessary  for  the  supply  of  the  estab- 
lishment, which  is  brought  in  pipes,  through  it, 
from  the  high  lands  to  the  site  of  the  University. 
From  the  benefit  of  this  communication  we  were 
liable  to  be  cut  off,  at  any  moment,  by  the  owner 
of  this  parcel  of  lands.  It  was  lately  offered  to  us, 
and  at  a  price  thought  reasonable,  to  wit,  at  fifty 
dollars  the  acre.  We  had,  several  years  ago,  paid 
forty  dollars  for  the  parcel  adjacent  on  one  side, 
and  one  hundred  dollars  the  acre  had  been  given 
by  an  individual  for  a  large  parcel  adjacent  on 
another  side.  The  consideration  that  the  purchase 
would  so  far  lessen  the  funds  for  finishing  the 
rotunda,  called  certainly  for  serious  hesitation. 
But  the  supply  of  water  indispensable  to  the  estab- 
lishment, the  irrecoverable  loss  of  it,  if  sold  out 
to  individuals  in  lots,  as  proposed  by  the  proprietor, 
made  it,  in  our  view,  an  over-ruling  duty  to  secure 
the  University  so  irreparable  an  injury,  and  we 
concluded  the  purchase.    This  now  gives  to  the 


Jefferson's  Works 


institution  a  tract  of  nearly  four  hundred  :::es 
beyond  the  limits  of  which  it  has  nothing  to  desire. 

Trie  last  renert  stated  that,  in  addition  to  the 
sum  of  19,370  dollars  40J  cents  which  had  been 
paid  or  provided  towards  the  bunding  called  the 
rerun  da.  there  were  still  remaining,  cf  the  general 
funds  a  sun:  of  about  21,000  dollars  applicable  to 
that  bunding:  that  this  sum,  although  not  sufficient 
to  finish  it,  would  put  it  into  a  state  of  safety,  and 
of  some  uses,  until  other  and  more  pressing  objects 
sheuld  have  been  aecrmrhshed.  It  has  been  indis- 
pensable to  finish  the  circular  room,  destined  for 
the  reception  of  the  books ;  because,  once  deposited 
in  their  places,  the  removing  them  for  any  finishing 
which  might  be  left  to  be  dene  hereafter,  would 
be  inadvisable.  That  has.  there:: re.  been  carried 
on  actively,  and  we  trust  will  be  ready  in  time  for 
the  recertirn  e:  the  bocks.  The  ether  apartments 
of  indispensable  use  were,  two  for  a  chemical  labor- 
atcry.  ene  ::r  a  n:useun:  c:  natural  histery,  and 
one  for  examinations,  for  accesscry  schools,  and 
ether  ass::ia:ei  rumises.  An  additienal  building, 
too,  for  anatomical  dissections,  and  other  kindred 
uses,  was  beeeme  necessary.  We  are  endeavoring 
to  put  these  into  a  bare  state  for  use,  although 
with  seme  ieerardy  as  ::  :he  competence  of  the 

-  ~  ^ . 

On  representation  to  the  General  Government  of 
the  interest  which  the  legislature  of  Virginia  had 
given  to  their  University  in  certain  claims  then 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  487 


depending  between  them,  of  the  great  disadvan- 
tages under  which  that  institution  must  labor, 
without  the  books  and  apparatus  which  this  dona- 
tion was  to  supply,  that  government  did  not  hesitate 
to  aid  us  with  an  advance,  on  account,  of  such 
a  sum  as  might  cover  that  given  to  the  University. 
A  catalogue  of  books  for  the  library  was  thereupon 
prepared,  an  agent  employed  to  purchase  them, 
wherever  they  could  be  obtained  cheapest  and  best, 
and  a  sum  of  18,000  dollars  for  this  purpose  was 
placed  at  his  disposal.  A  previous  sum  of  7,677 
dollars  81  cents  had  been  advanced  by  the  general 
fund  for  the  purchase  of  books  and  apparatus  of 
immediate  necessity;  and  a  sum  of  6,000  dollars 
appropriated  on  loan  towards  preparing  the  room 
in  the  rotunda  destined  for  a  library,  making 
together  31,677  dollars  81  cents  for  the  purchase 
of  a  philosophical  apparatus,  a  sum  of  6,000  dollars 
was  deposited  in  London  (having  cost  here  6,300 
dollars).  A  list  of  the  proper  articles,  and  their 
selection  and  purchase  were  committed  to  a  char- 
acter there  highly  qualified  for  the  execution  of 
the  charge,  and  another  sum  of  3,000  dollars  was 
deposited  in  London  (having  cost  here  3,157  dollars 
50  cents)  for  the  acquisition  of  articles  necessary 
for  the  anatomical  school,  which,  with  500  dollars 
paid  for  a  chemical  apparatus,  and  289  dollars  58 
cents  for  transportation  and  other  miscellaneous 
expenses,  amount  to  41,924  dollars  89  cents,  leaving 
a  balance  of  8,075  dollars  11  cents  for  defraying 


488  Jefferson's  Works 


incidental  expenses,  which  will  be  considerable. 
A  good  proportion  of  these  articles  we  are  in  hopes 
to  receive  this  autumn,  and  the  residue  in  the 
ensuing  spring.  Some  donations  of  mineral  collec- 
tions have  already  been  received,  others  destined 
for  the  University  are  known  of,  and  it  is  believed 
we  shall,  in  this  way,  be  supplied  sufficiently  for 
all  the  purposes  of  education.  Much,  too,  may  be 
expected  from  the  future  industry  of  the  alumni 
themselves  of  the  University,  when  they  shall  have 
entered  on  the  active  business  of  life. 

The  receipts  by  the  collector  of  arrearages  of 
subscriptions  since  the  date  of  our  last  report  have 
amounted  to  2,734  dollars  89  cents,  and  the  balance 
still  to  be  expected  is  4,306.53^,  leaving  a  sum  of 
4,500  dollars  desperate  as  is  believed. 

The  accounts  of  the  receipts,  disbursements  and 
funds  on  hand  for  the  year  ending  with  the  late 
month  of  September,  as  rendered  by  the  bursar 
and  proctor,  are  given  with  this  report,  as  is  required 
by  law. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector  of  the  University. 
The  Board  then  adjourned  to  the  second  Monday 
of  December  next. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

October  7,  1825. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University 
of  Virginia,  held  at  the  said  University,  on  Monday 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  489 


the  3d  and  Tuesday  the  4th  of  April,  1826,  at  which 
were  present,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Joseph  C.  Cabell, 
John  H.  Cocke,  Chapman  Johnson  and  James  Madi- 
son, the  following  proceedings  were  had: 

There  shall  be  established  in  the  University  a 
dispensary,  which  shall  be  attached  to  the  medical 
school,  and  shall  be  under  the  sole  direction  and 
government  of  the  professor  of  medicine,  who  shall 
attend  personally  at  the  anatomical  theatre,  or 
such  other  place  as  he  shall  notify,  from  half  after 
one  to  two  o'clock  on  every  Tuesday,  Thursday 
and  Saturday,  for  the  purpose  of  dispensing  medical 
advice,  vaccination,  and  aid  in  surgical  cases  of 
ordinary  occurrence,  to  applicants  needing  them. 

All  poor,  free  persons,  disordered  in  body,  topi- 
cally or  generally,  and  applying  for  advice,  shall 
receive  it  gratis;  all  others,  bond  or  free,  shall 
receive  it  on  payment  of  half  a  dollar  at  each  atten- 
dance, for  the  use  of  the  institution,  and  all  persons 
shall  be  vaccinated  gratis,  and  the  students  par- 
ticularly shall  be  encouraged  to  be  so,  as  a  protection 
to  the  institution  against  the  malady  of  the  small-pox. 

The  students  of  the  medical  school  shall  be 
permitted  to  attend  with  the  professor,  to  examine 
the  patients  by  the  pulse,  and  other  indications 
of  disease,  ask  of  them  such  questions  as  the  pro- 
fessor shall  think  pertinent  and  shall  permit,  and 
to  acquire  practical  knowledge  of  the  processes  of 
pharmacy  by  taking  a  part  in  the  preparation  of 
medicines. 


49°  Jefferson's  Works 


The  moneys  so  received  shall  be  applied  to  the 
providing  and  keeping  up  of  a  proper  and  sufficient 
stock  of  medicines  and  salves,  to  the  procuring 
surgical  instruments  for  ordinary  operations,  and 
to  defraying  other  expenses  necessary  for  the 
institution.  For  the  first  stock  of  medicines,  and 
for  necessary  instruments,  money  shall  be  advanced 
from  the  funds  of  the  University  to  be  reimbursed 
from  the  receipts  of  the  dispensary. 

Notice  of  this  enactment  shall  be  inserted  in 
the  first  Central  Gazette  of  each  month  till  dis- 
continued by  order  of  the  executive  committee, 
for  the  purpose  of  keeping  under  constant  notice, 
all  those  who  may  wish  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
benefits  of  the  institution.    Passed  April  4,  1826. 

In  order  that  the  several  schools  may  participate 
equally  of  the  conveniences  and  inconveniences  of 
early  and  late  hours,  on  and  after  the  1st  day  of 
July  next  (and  without  any  change  in  their  respec- 
tive days  of  duty)  there  shall  be  an  advance  of 
two  hours  in  the  times  of  the  day  for  opening  and 
closing  the  three  earlier  schools  of  the  day,  and 
that  now  latest  shall  take  the  earliest  hours  of  its 
day,  which  shall  continue  until  the  1st  of  February 
following,  when  there  shall  again  be  a  similar 
advance  and  change  of  two  hours.  And  like  changes 
shall  continue  to  be  made,  on  the  same  days  in 
every  year  after.    Passed  April  4,  1826. 

The  43d  enactment  of  the  rector  and  Visitors 
shall  be  amended  by  striking  therefrom  the  follow- 


Supplementary  Manuscripts       49 1 


ing  words  in  the  second  line  thereof,  viz.,  "  within 
the  precincts,"  and  hereafter  shall  be  interpreted 
and  executed  as  if  these  words  were  not  therein. 

Resolved,  that  there  be  established  the  office 
of  president  of  the  University,  with  a  salary  of 
1,500  dollars  per  annum,  to  be  paid  out  of  the 
annuity  of  the  University,  in  the  manner  in  which 
the  salaries  of  the  professors  are  paid. 

The  president  shall  be  the  executive  officer  of 
the  University,  and  as  such,  charged  with  a  general 
superintendence  of  the  execution  of  all  laws  made 
for  its  government. 

•  The  proctor  and  all  subordinate  agents  shall  be 
subject  to  his  control  and  direction  in  the  execution 
of  their  respective  duties. 

He  shall  convene  the  faculty  whenever  he  may 
think  the  interests  of  the  institution  require  it, 
and  whenever  else  any  two  professors  shall  request  it. 

He  shall  preside  at  all  the  meetings  of  the  faculty, 
when  present,  and  having  a  vote  as  professor,  he 
shall  have  a  casting  vote  as  president,  when  the 
votes  of  the  professors,  pro  and  con,  are  equally 
divided. 

In  his  absence  from  the  meetings  of  the  faculty 
a  chairman  pro  tempore  shall  be  appointed.  In 
the  absence  of  the  president  from  the  University, 
and  in  case  of  his  disability  by  sickness,  or  other- 
wise, the  faculty  may  be  convened,  and  may  act 
as  at  present. 

When  the  president  shall  believe  that  a  student 


49 2  Jefferson's  Works 


has  committed  any  offence  requiring  trial  before 
the  faculty,  he  shall  have  power  to  suspend  such 
student,  and  in  case  of  emergency,  forbid  him 
access  within  the  precincts,  till  a  board  can  be 
convened  for  his  trial;  provided  that  no  such 
suspension  or  restraint  shall  be  for  a  longer  time 
than  two  weeks,  if  a  board  can  be  convened  within 
that  time.  Any  student  violating  the  order  of  a 
president,  made  pursuant  to  the  authority  hereby 
vested  in  him,  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  contumacy 
and  punished  accordingly. 

Resolved,  that  William  Wirt,  at  present  Attorney- 
General  of  the  United  States,  be  appointed  president 
of  the  University  and  professor  of  law;  and  that 
if  he  declines  the  appointment,  the  resolution 
establishing  the  office  of  president  be  null  and  void. 

If  the  appointment  hereby  made  shall  be  accepted, 
the  professor  will  be  expected  to  enter  on  the  duties 
of  his  office  as  soon  as  his  convenience  will  allow, 
not  later,  however,  than  the  commencement  of  the 
next  session. 

From  the  enactments  establishing  the  office  of 
president,  the  rector  dissented.  His  dissent  is 
ordered  to  be  entered  in  the  journal,  and  is  in  the 
words  following: 

The  subscriber,  rector  of  the  University,  fully 
and  expressly  concurring  in  the  appointment  of 
Wilh*  am  Wirt  to  the  professor  of  the  school  of  law, 
dissents  from,  and  protests  against,  so  much  of 
these  enactments  as  go  to  the  establishment  of 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  493 

the  office  of  president  of  the  University,  for  these 
reasons : 

1.  Because  the  law  establishing  the  University, 
delineating  the  organization  of  the  authorities  by 
which  it  should  be  directed  and  governed,  and 
placing  at  its  head  a  Board  of  rector  and  Visitors, 
has  enumerated  with  great  precision  the  special 
powers  it  meant  to  give  to  that  Board,  in  which 
enumeration  is  not. to  be  found  that  of  creating  a 
president,  making  him  a  member  of  the  faculty 
of  professors,  and  with  controlling  powers  over 
that  faculty;  and  it  is  not  conceivable  that,  while 
descending,  in  their  enumeration  to  give  specially 
the  power  of  appointing  officers  of  the  minutest 
grade,  they  should  have  omitted  to  name  him  of 
the  highest,  who  was  to  govern  and  preside  over 
the  whole.  If  this  is  not  among  the  enumerated 
powers,  it  is  believed  it  cannot  be  legitimately 
inferred,  by  construction,  from  the  words  giving 
a  general  authority  to  do  all  things  expedient  for 
promoting  the  purposes  of  the  institution;  for,  so 
construed,  it  would  render  nugatory  the  whole 
enumeration,  and  confer  on  the  Board  powers 
unrestrained  within  any  limits. 

2.  Because  he  is  of  opinion  that  every  function 
ascribed  to  the  president  by  this  enactment,  can 
be  performed,  and  is  now  as  well  performed  by  the 
faculty,  as  now  established  by  law. 

3.  Because  we  owe  debts  at  this  time  of  at 
least  11,000  dollars  beyond  what  can  be  paid  by 


494 


Jefferson's  Works 


any  means  we  have  in  possession,  or  may  command 
within  any  definite  period  of  time;  and  fixes  on 
us  permanently  an  additional  expense  of  15,000 
dollars  a  year. 

4.  Because  he  thinks  that  so  fundamental  a 
change  in  the  organization  of  the  institution  ought 
not  to  be  made  by  a  thin  Board,  two  of  the  seven 
constituting  it,  being  now  absent. 

For  these  reasons  the  subscriber  protests  against 
both  the  expedience  and  the  validity  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  this  office. 

Th.  Jefferson. 

Resolved,  that  John  Taylor  Lomax  be  appointed 
professor  of  law  to  the  University  in  case  the  appont- 
ment  shall  be  declined  by  Mr.  Wirt. 

The  appointment  of  William  Wertenbaker  a 
librarian  to  the  University,  is  approved  and  con- 
firmed. 

Resolved,  that  it  is  proper  to  exclude  students 
from  the  library  room,  except  in  cases  in  which 
the  faculty  may  authorize  their  admission. 

Resolved,  that  the  proctor  be  instructed  to  take 
proper  measures  to  have  prosecutions  instituted 
against  D.  S.  Mosby  and  Thomas  Draffin,  for  viola- 
tions of  the  law  concerning  ordinaries  and  tippling 
houses,  and  to  have  their  licenses  revoked,  if  any 
they  have.  That  it  be  also  the  duty  of  the  proctor 
to  have  likewise  proceedings  instituted  against 
other  such  offenders,  if  any  should  be  at  any  time 
known  to  him. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  495 


To  enable  the  proctor  to  perform  this  and  other 
duties  requiring  proceedings  in  court,  he  shall  be 
authorized  to  employ  counsel  for  the  University, 
and  pay  him  reasonable  fees. 

It  being  suggested  to  the  Board  that  a  young 
man  named  Robert  Beverly  abiding  for  the  time 
in  the  town  of  Charlottesville,  habitually  indulges 
habits  of  intemperance  and  disorder,  violating  the 
laws  of  the  land,  setting  an  evil  example  to  the 
students,  and  seducing  them  from  their  duties,  and 
the  Visitors  deeming  it  their  duty  to  procure  the 
punishment  of  such  offences  in  order  that  the 
offender  and  his  example  may  be  removed,  therefore, 

Resolved,  that  the  proctor  be  instructed  to  give 
information  to  the  attorney  for  the  Commonwealth 
for  the  county  court,  and  superior  court  of  law  for 
Albemarle,  and  to  take  such  measures  as  either  of 
the  said  attorneys  shall  advise,  for  binding  the  said 
Robert  Beverly  to  his  good  behavior,  and  for 
punishing  his  violations  of  the  law. 

Resolved,  that  the  proctor  be  instructed  to 
consult  with  the  attorney  for  the  Commonwealth 
for  the  superior  court,  and  take  such  measures  as 
may  be  proper  to  continue  the  prosecutions  com- 
menced against  Philip  Clayton  and  William  L. 
Eyre,  late  students  of  the  University,  or  to  institute 
new  prosecutions  if  necessary. 

It  is  especially  enjoined  on  the  proctor  to  make 
vigilant  enquiry  into  the  violence  lately  offered  to 
the  house  of  Professor  Emmet,  and  the  wall  of 


496  Jefferson's  Works 


Professor  Blaetterman's  garden,  and  to  endeavor  to 
bring  the  offenders  before  the  civil  authorities. 

Resolved,  that  students  heretofore  or  hereafter 
expelled  from  the  University,  shall  be  absolutely 
inhibited  from  coming  in  its  precincts  for  the  period 
of  five  years  after  such  expulsion,  unless  by  leave 
of  some  professor;  and  if  any  such  expelled  student 
shall  come  within  the  precincts  in  violation  of  this 
resolution,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  proctor  to 
warn  him  off,  and  if  he  do  not  depart,  or  after- 
wards returns,  the  proctor  shall  consult  with  the 
attorney  employed  for  the  University,  and  take 
such  measures  as  the  law  will  allow  for  punishing 
the  offense,  and  preventing  its  repetition. 

The  keepers  of  the  hotels  are  expected  to  be 
men  of  discretion  and  firmness,  willing  at  all  times 
to  co-operate  with  the  faculty  and  Visitors  in 
executing  the  laws  of  the  institution;  it  is,  there- 
fore, at  present  recommended  to  them  as  proper, 
and  after  the  existing  leases  expire,  it  is  expressly 
enjoined  upon  them  as  a  duty,  that  they  shall 
whenever  called  on,  either  by  the  Visitors,  or  by 
the  faculty,  freely  give  evidence  upon  honor,  of 
all  matters  within  their  knowledge,  touching  the 
conduct  of  the  students. 

In  all  future  leases  of  the  hotels  the  proctor  is 
required  to  insert  an  express  covenant  that  the 
tenant  shall,  during  the  continuance  of  the  lease, 
conform  to  the  laws  of  the  institution  existing  at 
the  date  of  the  lease,  and  a  condition  that  for  the 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  497 


wilful  violation  of  such  law  the  lease  shall  be  void, 
and  the  tenant  removed  or  continued  on  special 
conditions,  as  provided  by  the  eighty-fourth  enact- 
ment. 

No  student  boarding  at  any  hotel,  shall  be  allowed 
to  change  his  boarding-house  till  the  end  of  the 
session,  without  permission  from  the  faculty. 

Hacks  and  other  carriages  let  on  hire  shall  be 
admitted  within  the  precincts  of  the  University 
only  under  such  regulations  as  shall  be  prescribed 
by  the  faculty. 

The  executive  committee  are  required  to  provide 
for  lighting  the  University,  if  it  can  be  effectually 
done  at  a  reasonable  expense. 

The  proctor  is  required  to  keep  the  drains  in  the 
grounds  of  the  University  always  free  from  obstruc- 
tion, and  to  construct  such  others  as  the  executive 
committee  may  direct. 

If  the  duties  on  the  imported  marble  should  be 
remitted  by  Congress,  the  executive  committee  are 
authorized  to  procure  a  clock  and  bell  for  the  use 
of  the  University. 

That  part  of  the  communication  of  the  faculty 
respecting  the  procurement  of  books  for  the  students, 
is  referred  to  the  executive  committee,  who  are 
requested  to  investigate  the  subject,  and  take  such 
measures  as  they  may  find  expedient  to  obviate 
the  evils  complained  of. 

The  list  of  periodical  publications  furnished  by 
the   faculty,  being  approved  by  the  Board,  the 

VOL.  XIX — 32 


498  Jefferson's  Works 


rector  is  requested  to  forward  a  copy  thereof  to 
Mr.  Hilliard,  and  to  require  him  to  furnish  them 
to  the  University  annually,  till  the  further  order 
of  the  Board. 

The  expulsion  of  Philip  Clayton  from  the  Univer- 
sity by  an  order  of  the  faculty,  made  on  the  14th 
of  October  last,  is  approved  and  confirmed  by  this 
Board. 

The  expulsion  of  William  Lewis  Cabell,  by  an 
order  of  the  faculty  made  on  the  30th  of  January 
last,  is  also  approved  and  confirmed. 

The  Board  having  received  a  communication 
from  the  professors  of  medicine  and  ancient 
languages  on  the  subject  of  diplomas,  on  which 
they  are  not  prepared  to  act  definitely,  the  faculty 
are  invited  to  take  under  their  consideration  the 
subject  of  diplomas  and  premiums  for  literary  merit, 
and  to  report  to  the  Visitors  at  their  meeting  next 
autumn,  such  alterations  in  the  enactments  on  that 
subject  as  they  may  deem  expedient. 

The  communication  of  the  faculty,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  police,  is  referred  to  the  committee  raised 
at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Board,  and  charged  with 
the  duty  of  digesting  and  reporting  a  system  for 
the  better  government  of  the  University;  and  that 
committee  is  required  to  report  to  the  Board  at 
their  next  meeting. 

The  Board  adjourns  without  day. 

Th.  Jefferson,  Rector. 

April  7,  1826. 


Supplementary  Manuscripts  499 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Visitors  of  the  University  of 
Virginia,  held  at  the  University  on  Monday,  October 
2d,  1826,  at  which  were  present  James  Madison, 
James  Breckenridge,  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  John  H. 
Cocke,  Chapman  Johnson  and  James  Monroe. 

The  Board  being  apprised  of  the  death  of  Thomas 
Jefferson,  rector,  proceeded  to  fill  the  vacancy  in 
that  office,  and  James  Madison  was  elected. 


